Transfer speculation to the Premier League is giving Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso confidence, according to the United States international.
Cardoso, 23, has been a regular in Manuel Pellegrini’s side since joining the LaLiga club in January 2024 from Brazilian outfit Internacional. Tottenham have a priority option to sign Cardoso in the future for a reported £21 million (€25m).
“I can’t lie and it’s true that it’s something that gives me confidence, that makes me feel valued because I’m doing a good job,” Cardoso told Diario de Sevilla about Tottenham’s interest.
“But I always try to improve, try to do my best for the benefit of the group and grow as a person on and off the pitch.
“However, now my head is only in Betis. This season we have important things to think about.”
Cardoso, whose contract with Betis expires in June 2030, has made 33 appearances this season.
Asked if he would like to remain at Betis if the team qualifies for next season’s Champions League, he said: “Of course I would. It’s a team that has been my home since I arrived and I feel very good here.”
Cardoso was included in Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT squad for the Concacaf Nations League Finals earlier this month but had to withdraw due to a muscular strain.
The U.S. lost 1-0 to Panama on March 20 before falling 2-1 to Canada on Sunday to finish fourth in the tournament.
Despite the back-to-back defeats, Cardoso is optimistic ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Asked if the U.S. has the best team in the Concacaf, Cardoso told ESPN: “Yes. We have a team that can progress a lot, we have a lot of youngsters in the team.”
Cardoso is confident the national team will get better under Pochettino, who was appointed in September following the USMNT’s early exit from the Copa América on home soil.
“The change of coach takes a little to get used to at the beginning because we have very little time when you only have camps for a week every three months,” he said. “When we started with Pochettino we already had the mentality to learn and progress and put his style of play into practise.
“I’m looking forward to working with him again.”
