Tottenham Transfer News: Why Spurs are future-proofing a move for Johnny Cardoso

 

Tottenham's summer has been centred on trimming the wage bill. The likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Emerson Royal and Tanguy Ndombele have all left the club, while further departures are expected ahead of the close of the transfer window. One of those set to leave is midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who while he impressed when called upon last season, is keen to depart, with a return to Real Betis on the cards. 

 

However, the Argentine's departure presents Spurs with a future avenue to explore. A deal that sees Lo Celso return to Spain means the north London side are close to agreeing to a priority option for midfielder Johnny Cardoso. Spurs will also purchase a percentage on any future sale should they opt against buying the 22-year-old. 

 

What's key is that Spurs have evidently highlighted central midfield as an area in need of improvement. Ange Postecoglou's side were tenatively linked with a move for Wolves star Joao Gomes earlier this month, though a transfer didn't make it beyond the rumours stage. Cardoso is a left-field option, but one that does make sense. 

 

 

Few could have foreseen Spurs eyeing up a move for Cardoso, the club following the hush-hush path to dealings this summer. However, it's a smart investment by the club as they assess their number six options in the market. Cardoso was a first team regular for Betis following his arrival from Internacional at the turn of the year, making 15 starts in the second half of last season. 

 

Cardoso ended the season having made an average of 3.2 tackles per 90, that ranking 13th of those to make more than 15 La Liga appearances in 2023/24. The USA international exhibited a fine reading of the game, too, making 2.2 interceptions per 90; no player made more. Factor in his notable aerial ability - Cardoso won an average of 2.6 aerial duels per 90 with a success rate of 60.3% - and he's a player able to deny opponents that either look to keep the ball on the deck or implement a more direct approach. When it came to shielding the Real Betis backline, he did so superbly. 

 

The hard work off the ball is key for this Spurs side. Angeball is reliant on committing men forward to win high turnovers. Two of the three central midfielders will often push up to support the offensive, and while the full-backs do help form a 2-3 setup, the deepest lying central midfielder needs to show the requisite defensive discipline to ensure Spurs aren't caught short at the back. 

 

 

Considering Real Betis conceded just 11.8 shots per game in La Liga last season, that the ninth fewest and an average lower than Atletico Madrid (11.9), Cardoso's resolve was key in that number being so low despite his side's 50.1% possession average. In addition, Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini implements a 4-2-3-1 setup, one not too dissimilar to the system Ange Postecoglou uses at Spurs. Both managers look to utilise a high-pressing strategy, and this would further aid Cardoso settling in at Spurs should they look to sign the American. 

 

With a modest pass success rate of 84.7% from 42.8 passes per 90 in La Liga last season, Cardoso has proven effective at winning the ball back for his side and retaining possession effectively, two key traits for a player in his position.

 

Spurs may yet opt against signing Cardoso down the line but as the club consider their midfield options, he could prove a sound investment in the future and one that would suit Postecoglou's gameplan at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham Transfer News: Why Spurs are future-proofing a move for Johnny Cardoso