Both 19-year-olds have progressed enormously under the watchful eye of Iraola, and the boss has previously said that developing Kroupi to play a second striker/number ten role had been a big challenge for him.
But his hard work has paid off, as Kroupi has worked hard to take on the role, resulting in Iraola being able to play him, Evanilson and Rayan all at the same time.
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The boss said that Rayan, who joined in January, was another challenge, working with him to ensure he was doing his defensive work, too.
Iraola said both are natural attackers, so they have not had to focus on that, but in order for them to get regular minutes, they have had to improve with their work in the press and in defence, and they have stepped up to do that.
AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi during the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham. (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
“I think they have been two big challenges for us this season because the talent is there and it's obvious,” Iraola said.
“I'm not going to show them how to finish, how to do certain things that they do much better than me.
“But it has been a challenge keeping the enthusiasm, the way they play, because they play like they are with friends, playing at school.
“And there is a part where we don't want to lose this, but also they have to understand this is the Premier League. We need much more than what you do on the ball.
“And Junior Kroupi has adapted to a new position. They are basically, Evanilson, Junior Kroupi, Rayan are number 9s, and we've been playing consistently with them because they've been so good defensively.
AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi during the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham. (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
“And the other day, watching Rayan one against one against Doku, accepting, celebrating defensive plays, I was almost crying, because it's what they need.
“It’s because I know Rayan is going to score goals all his life, and Junior Kroupi, his finishing is ridiculous. And sometimes training is he scores goals and players basically stop and clap.
“It's like he has talent, it's a natural thing, but they have to make a bigger step in to being more complete, especially without the ball and this.
“And I think they've been much better than I expected, honestly. With Junior, with Rayan, sometimes I was thinking it's going to be difficult to get it right, and but they've done incredible steps to become more complete and to earn also these minutes.”