Roberto De Zerbi, the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, was brutally honest about the importance of the upcoming clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers as his side continues to fight for survival in 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 team’s recent form offers little comfort. Their first point under De Zerbi arrived in a home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, a match in which Tottenham twice held the lead before settling for a stalemate. Despite that small improvement, the club has yet to register its first league win of the 2026 campaign.
With only five fixtures remaining, De Zerbi stressed that his players must remain fully aware of the precarious situation they occupy. "I don’t want to add extra pressure, but we have to understand the reality," De Zerbi explained. "We cannot ignore the table, we cannot ignore the fact that we need to win. What we have done so far is simply not enough.
If we can take three points at Wolves, the battle is not over, but we will have taken a massive step forward." He went on to outline the road ahead: "There are four games left. We deserve to win them. I knew Brighton was one of the strongest sides in the league – after Chelsea everyone understood the quality we were up against. We played well but were unlucky." The manager described the Wolves fixture as "not an easy game" despite the fact that the Wolverhampton side have already been relegated.
He highlighted the psychological edge that a team with nothing to lose can possess: "The last three home games for Wolves have been a draw with Arsenal and victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool. They have nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous.
We must play our football without feeling the weight of the situation too heavily." De Zerbi reiterated his own role in the preparation process: "My job is to get the team ready in the best possible way, but ultimately it’s about playing football. These players are talented, they have important qualities, and they can perform when their minds are clear." In terms of squad availability, James Maddison will travel to Wolverhampton with the team, though De Zerbi confirmed the England midfielder is still not match‑fit.
Maddison, who suffered an ACL injury during pre‑season, has not featured for Spurs since that setback and has not made a Premier League appearance in over a year. The manager said, "Maddison is not available yet. He felt pain this week, but it’s not a serious problem.
He will travel with us because he is important. Whether he plays or not, his presence is valuable – he is a leader and a positive influence in the dressing room." Injury concerns continue to plague the squad. Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all doubtful for the Wolves match, adding to an already extensive list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. De Zerbi addressed 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, but he is a crucial player for us." He added that Sarr will miss the trip due to shoulder pain, while Vicario is also unavailable but is expected to re‑join the group on Monday. "Antonin Kinsky is playing really well, and I hope Vicario can return in top physical condition.
He is another important player for us," De Zerbi said. Beyond the on‑field issues, Tottenham have announced that they will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves game. This decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw.
The club issued a statement making it clear that any form of racial abuse will be met with the strongest possible action, including reporting the content to the Metropolitan Police and working with platforms to remove and ban offending accounts. De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the abuse: "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game.
One mistake does not define a player; it is the behaviour on the pitch that matters. He will be with us next season because he is a good person and we are lucky to have him." The upcoming match at Molineux is therefore a critical juncture for Tottenham. A victory would not only provide three vital points but also inject much‑needed belief into a squad that has struggled to find consistency. With the season winding down, every decision – from tactical adjustments to managing player fitness – will be scrutinised.
Fans can catch the live action on the Sky Sports app from 5:15 pm on Saturday, and the club encourages supporters to engage with the anti‑racism campaign by wearing the special shirts and sharing the message on social media. Additionally, a promotional Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available for those who wish to participate. In summary, De Zerbi’s message is clear: the pressure is real, but the focus must remain on playing the game with confidence and composure. The Wolves encounter is a make‑or‑break moment that could determine whether Tottenham secure their Premier League status or join the relegated clubs in the Championship for the next season.