Tottenham Hotspur already have a big transfer decision to make in 2025 – and Mauricio Pochettino now has some involvement.
Deadline day was a quiet one for Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham’s incoming business was done much earlier and the only deal of deadline day was a departure.
Giovani Lo Celso completed a move to Real Betis, rejoining the club five years since leaving them for Spurs.
Nobody was too disappointed with that deal but Tottenham then went and lost 2-1 at Newcastle United in frustrating fashion.
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Mauricio Pochettino impact on Tottenham Hotspur transfer
Tottenham did though strike one rather interesting deal during talks over Lo Celso’s departure.
Spurs essentially accepted a lower fee for Lo Celso in order to negotiate a first option on Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso.
The options means that Tottenham can sign Cardoso for around £21million next summer if he does enough to impress in Spain.
Tottenham will now have a watchful eye over Cardoso between now and next summer as Johan Lange and Ange Postecoglou weigh up whether to strike a deal.
This won’t just be based on Cardoso’s displays for Real Betis, but also his performances for the United States national team.
Despite emerging in Brazilian football, Cardoso represents the United States and already has 17 caps to his name.
The defensive midfielder now has a new manager on the international stage and it’s a name Tottenham fans know very, very well.
Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new USA manager in a quite remarkable coup.
Pochettino left Chelsea at the end of last season and is now turning to international football as the United States prepare for a home World Cup in 2026.
The Argentinian’s managerial career has been a little up and down since leaving Tottenham but Spurs will now hope to see him aid the development of Cardoso.
International managers don’t have a lot of time with players but Pochettino could pass on some vital tips to Cardoso.
The 22-year-old will have his sights firmly set on playing at the World Cup and Pochettino will be charged with the task of getting the best out of him – potentially as a Spurs player.
Cardoso’s World Cup hopes
Cardoso has been in action in this international break but his displays have been criticised.
The US media suggested that Cardoso was sloppy in possession against Canada as the United States lost 2-1.
Cardoso was on the bench against New Zealand overnight but did come on with just five minutes of normal time to play.
Cardoso missed one chance to score late on and will feel that he didn’t quite make the most of this international period.
USA do have other midfield options with the likes of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah will be in the mix ahead of the World Cup.
Cardoso will need to seriously impress Pochettino by then in order to lock down a starting role – and he will be looking to prove himself to Tottenham along the way.
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