Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that he does not want to overload his players with additional stress as the club continues to battle against relegation, but he also underscored that a win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday is essential. The North London side sit deep in the Premier League's drop zone, currently two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United.
Their rivals Nottingham Forest occupy 16th place and could potentially pull eight points clear of Spurs if they secure a victory over Sunderland in their Friday night fixture on Sky Sports. De Zerbi’s tenure at Tottenham has already produced a first point under his leadership, earned in a home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion where the visitors held the lead on two separate occasions. Despite that small improvement, Spurs have yet to notch their first league win of the 2026 calendar year.
With only five matches remaining in the season, the Italian coach warned his squad not to lose sight of the precarious situation they find themselves in. "I don't want to put pressure on the players, but we must be aware of the reality we are in," De Zerbi explained. "We cannot ignore the table, we cannot forget that we need to secure wins. What we have done so far simply isn’t enough.
If we can take three points at Wolves, the battle is not over, but it will be a massive step forward." He added that there are still four games left after the Wolves encounter, and Tottenham deserve to win those as well. "Brighton was one of the strongest sides in the league, and after Chelsea everyone understood the level we were up against.
We played well but were unlucky. It was not an easy match," he said, referring to the recent draw. Looking ahead to the Wolves clash, De Zerbi described the opposition as a "tough game because they have nothing to lose" after their recent relegation.
He emphasized the need for his players to perform without being overburdened by anxiety. "My job is to prepare the team as best as I can and then let them play football. These are very talented individuals with important qualities, and they can play without too many worries in their heads," he noted.
James Maddison will travel to Molineux with the squad, but the England midfielder remains unavailable for full match action. De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison, who suffered an ACL injury during pre‑season and has not featured in a Premier League game for a year, is still on the recovery trail.
"Maddison is not ready yet. He felt some pain this week, but it isn’t serious. He will be with us for the match because he is important," the manager said. "Whether he plays or not is secondary – his presence as a leader and a positive influence in the dressing room matters a great deal." Injury concerns continue to plague Tottenham.
Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined, adding to a long list that already includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. De Zerbi gave a brief update on each case. "Udogie suffered a problem after a great first half against Brighton, so I doubt he will be fit for tomorrow. We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie returns for the Villa Park game," he said.
Regarding Sarr, the manager explained, "He felt a pain in his shoulder this week and did not train with the group, so he will miss the Wolves trip." As for Vicario, De Zerbi said the goalkeeper will rejoin the squad from next Monday, after a short spell out of action. "Antonin Kinsky is performing excellently, and I hope Vicario returns in peak physical condition – he is another key player for us," De Zerbi added. Off the pitch, Tottenham have announced that they will wear specially printed shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the high‑stakes match at Wolves.
This decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. The club issued a statement condemning any form of racial harassment and confirming that they have reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of several accounts. De Zerbi expressed his personal frustration about the incident, saying, "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game, and I do not think a single mistake should be used to justify such behaviour.
He will be with us next season because he is a good person and we are lucky to have him." The upcoming fixture will be streamed live on the Sky Sports app, with highlights available after the final whistle. Fans are also encouraged to take part in the Super 6 competition, which offers a chance to win £250,000.
As Tottenham prepare for what could be a decisive encounter, De Zerbi hopes his side can combine tactical discipline with the freedom to express themselves on the pitch, turning the pressure of the relegation battle into a catalyst for a much‑needed victory.