Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has been unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, emphasizing that while he does not wish to add extra pressure on his squad, the reality of their situation demands a win. The Spurs find themselves entrenched in the Premier League relegation battle, sitting in the bottom tier of the table after a dismal 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. That loss left them two points behind West Ham, who occupy the 17th spot, and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest.
Under De Zerbi’s guidance, Tottenham have only managed a single point so far this season, a hard‑earned draw at home against Brighton where they briefly held the lead on two occasions. Despite the modest improvement, the team has yet to secure its first league victory of the 2026 campaign. With only five matches remaining, the manager stressed that his players must remain fully aware of the precarious position they occupy. "I don’t want to create extra pressure, but we have to understand the context," De Zerbi told reporters.
"We cannot ignore the table, we cannot forget that we need to win. What we have done up to now simply isn’t enough. If we win at Wolves, the battle isn’t over, but it will be a massive step forward." He went on to outline the remaining fixtures, noting that there are four games left after the Wolves encounter.
"We deserve to win games," he said. "Brighton proved to be one of the strongest sides in the league. After Chelsea, everyone understood the level we were up against.
We played well but were unlucky." The manager described the Wolves match as “not an easy game,” acknowledging that the opposition have already been relegated and therefore have nothing to lose. This, he believes, makes them particularly dangerous opponents. "They are motivated because they have nothing to lose," De Zerbi explained. "We must play our football without letting pressure get to our heads.
My job is to prepare the team as best as possible and then let them express themselves on the pitch. The players have quality, they are good professionals, and they can keep a clear mind." In addition to tactical preparation, De Zerbi addressed the injury situation that continues to plague his squad. Midfielder James Maddison, who suffered an ACL tear during pre‑season, will travel with the team to Wolverhampton but remains doubtful for match action. Maddison was named on the bench for the Brighton draw, marking his first inclusion since the injury, yet he has not featured in a Premier League game for over a year.
"Maddison is still not fully fit," De Zerbi said. "He felt some pain this week, but it’s not serious. He will travel with us because his presence is important for the group.
Whether he plays or not, his leadership and positive attitude are valuable in the dressing room. I want to see positive, supportive people, and he provides that for his teammates." The injury list remains extensive.
Defender Destiny Udogie, midfielder Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all ruled out for the Wolves match. Captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski are also sidelined, among others.
De Zerbi gave a brief update on each player's status. "Udogie suffered a problem after a great first half against Brighton, but I don’t think he will be available tomorrow," the manager explained. "We have Djed Spence and Souza ready to travel, and I hope Udogie will be fit for the Villa Park game. His absence is not catastrophic, but he is an important player for us." Regarding Sarr, De Zerbi said the midfielder is dealing with shoulder pain and therefore will miss the Wolves fixture.
Vicario, the club’s third‑choice keeper, is also unavailable, though the manager expects him to return to training on Monday and be match‑ready soon after. "Sarr felt pain in his shoulder this week and couldn’t train with the group," De Zerbi noted.
"Vicario is not available for this game, but I anticipate his comeback early next week. Antonin Kinsky is performing well, and I hope Vicario can rejoin us in top physical condition." Off the pitch, Tottenham have announced that the players will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves encounter.
This decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. The club issued a statement condemning the abuse, confirming that they have reported the offending content to the Metropolitan Police and that the accounts responsible have been suspended or banned. De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the incident, saying, "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game, and a single mistake does not justify such behaviour. We consider conduct on the pitch, not online harassment. Kevin will be with us next season; he is a good person and we are fortunate to have him." The club’s anti‑racism campaign underscores its commitment to creating a safe environment for players and fans alike.
By displaying the anti‑racism message on their kits, Tottenham hopes to send a clear signal that any form of discrimination will be met with the strongest possible response. For supporters eager to follow the action, highlights of the Wolves versus Tottenham match will be available on the Sky Sports app from 5:15 p.m. on Saturday.
Additionally, the club is running a promotional Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £250,000 for free entries. In summary, De Zerbi’s message to his squad is one of sober realism tempered with encouragement.
He does not wish to burden his players with excessive pressure, yet he insists that the reality of the league table cannot be ignored. A win at Wolverhampton could be the catalyst that propels Spurs out of the relegation zone and restores belief in a side that has struggled to find its footing this season. The combination of tactical preparation, player availability updates, and a strong stance against racism reflects a club determined to address both on‑field challenges and broader societal issues as it fights to stay in the Premier League.