Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has been unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash at Wolves, reminding everyone that the club is still fighting to avoid the fate of relegation that haunts many clubs at the bottom of the Premier League. After a crushing 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night, Spurs find themselves entrenched in the relegation zone, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest.
The recent 1-1 home draw with Brighton, in which Tottenham briefly held the lead on two occasions, marked the first point earned under De Zerbi’s stewardship, but it also highlighted that the team has yet to secure a league victory in the 2026 calendar year. With only five matches remaining in the season, De Zerbi stressed that his players must remain fully aware of the precarious situation they are in and the necessity of turning points into wins.
"I don't want to create extra pressure, but we have to understand the reality," De Zerbi explained. "We cannot ignore the table, and we cannot ignore the fact that we need to win.
What we have done so far simply isn't enough. If we manage to win at Wolves, the battle is not over, but it will be a crucial step forward." He added that there are still four games left for Spurs, and the club deserves to claim victories. "Brighton are one of the strongest sides in the league," he noted, referencing the quality of the opposition they faced. "After Chelsea, everyone understood the level we were up against.
We played well, but luck was not on our side." Regarding the Wolves fixture, De Zerbi acknowledged the difficulty of playing a team that has already been relegated. "It's not an easy match," he said, pointing out that Wolves have nothing left to lose, which can make them dangerous opponents. "We have to play our football without letting pressure get to us. My job is to prepare the team as best I can, but ultimately it's about the players executing on the pitch.
They are talented, have important qualities, and can perform without overthinking." James Maddison, the England midfielder who suffered an ACL injury during pre‑season, will travel with the squad to Wolves, although De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison is still not match‑fit. Maddison was named on the bench for the Brighton draw, marking his first inclusion since his injury, but he has not featured in a Premier League game for a year. "Maddison is not available yet," De Zerbi said. "He felt some pain this week, but it is not serious.
He will travel with us because he is important for the group. Whether he plays or not is secondary; his presence as a leader and a positive influence 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 player: "Udogie had a problem after a strong first half against Brighton, so I doubt he will be available tomorrow. We have Djed Spence and Souza to call upon, and I hope Udogie will be fit for the Villa Park match. It's not a major injury, but it does affect us." He confirmed that Sarr will miss the Wolves trip due to shoulder pain, and Vicario will also be unavailable, though the keeper is expected to rejoin the squad from next Monday. "Sarr hasn't trained with the group this week because of his shoulder, and Vicario is still recovering.
Antonin Kinsky is playing very well, and I hope Vicario can return in top condition," De Zerbi added. Beyond the on‑field issues, Tottenham have announced that the players will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the crucial game at Wolves.
This decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. The club issued a statement condemning such behaviour and confirming that all abusive content has been reported to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of offending accounts.
De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the abuse aimed at Danso, praising the defender's performance despite the provocation. "I was very annoyed by the abuse towards Kevin. He played a fantastic game.
I don't consider a single mistake to be as important as the behaviour displayed on the pitch. He will be with us next season because he is a good guy and we are lucky to have him," the manager said. The upcoming match against Wolves is not only a test of Tottenham's tactical preparation but also a litmus test for the squad's mental resilience.
With relegation still looming, every point is vital, and the manager's balanced approach—recognising the need for urgency while trying to shield his players from excessive pressure—will be under scrutiny. Spurs must capitalize on any opportunity to climb the table, and a win at Wolves could provide the momentum needed to navigate the final stretch of the season.
Fans can watch highlights of the Wolves versus Tottenham encounter on the Sky Sports app from 5.15 pm on Saturday, and the club encourages supporters to engage with the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available. The outcome of this match could prove decisive in Tottenham's fight to stay in the Premier League, making De Zerbi's words about focus, preparation, and unity more relevant than ever.