Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has been blunt about the importance of the upcoming clash at Wolves, a fixture that could prove pivotal as his side fights to escape the relegation zone. After a crushing 5-0 defeat of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night, Spurs find themselves entrenched in the bottom three of the Premier League, sitting two points behind 17th‑place West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑place Nottingham Forest. The Italian coach’s tenure at the club has already yielded a solitary point, earned from a hard‑fought home draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in which Tottenham briefly held the lead on two separate occasions.
Yet, despite that small sign of progress, the team has yet to register its first league victory of the 2025‑26 season. With only five matches remaining, De Zerbi stressed that his players must remain fully aware of the precarious situation they occupy. "I don’t want to put pressure on the squad, but we have to understand the reality of where we are," De Zerbi explained.
"We cannot ignore the table, and we cannot ignore the need to win. What we have done so far simply isn’t enough. If we can secure three points at Wolves, the battle isn’t over, but it will be a massive step forward." He added that there are still four games left after the Wolves encounter, and Spurs deserve to collect points in each of them. "I knew Brighton were one of the strongest sides in the league, and after Chelsea everyone realised the level we were up against.
We played well but were unlucky," he said, reflecting on the recent draw. "Wolves are already relegated, which makes the game even tougher because they have nothing to lose.
We must play our football without the weight of excessive pressure." De Zerbi emphasized his role in preparing the team: "My job is to set up the match as best as possible, then let the players express themselves on the pitch. These are quality professionals with important attributes, and they can perform when their minds are clear." James Maddison will travel to Molineux with the squad, but the England midfielder remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a long‑term ACL injury that kept him out of pre‑season.
De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison is not yet match‑fit, noting, "He felt some discomfort this week, but it isn’t a serious setback. He will be with us tomorrow because his presence is vital, whether he plays or not.
His leadership and positive attitude are crucial for the dressing room." In addition to Maddison, Tottenham are missing several key figures through injury. Defender Destiny Udogie, midfielder Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all unavailable, adding to an already extensive list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. De Zerbi commented on Udogie's status: "He had a great first half against Brighton, but I don’t think he can play tomorrow. It’s not a major injury, just a precaution.
He is an essential player for us and I hope he returns for the Villa Park match." He also explained Sarr's absence, saying, "Sarr felt a shoulder pain this week and hasn’t been training with the group. He won’t travel to Wolves. Vicario is also out, but we expect him back on Monday in good physical condition." Tottenham have announced that the team will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves game, a response to recent online abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. The club issued a statement condemning any form of racial harassment, confirming that all abusive content has been reported to the Metropolitan Police and that offending accounts have been removed or banned.
De Zerbi expressed his frustration, stating, "I was very upset about the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game, and a single mistake does not justify such behaviour. He will be with us next season; he is a good person and a valuable member of the squad." The match will be broadcast live, and highlights will be available on the Sky Sports app from 5.15 pm on Saturday.
Fans are also invited to participate in a Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available. Overall, De Zerbi’s message is clear: while he does not wish to burden his players with undue anxiety, the reality of the relegation battle demands focus, determination, and a win at Wolves. The next five fixtures will determine whether Tottenham can climb out of the danger zone or face the harsh consequences of a season that has thus far delivered more disappointment than triumph.