Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach Roberto De Zerbi was unequivocal about the importance of Saturday’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers as his side continues to fight to avoid sharing the same fate as the Wolves, who are already condemned to relegation. The Spurs are entrenched in the Premier League’s relegation zone, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest after a 5-0 thrashing of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night.
Although De Zerbi’s tenure has already yielded a point – a hard‑earned draw against Brighton where Spurs held the lead twice – the team has yet to register its first league win of the 2025‑26 season. With only five fixtures remaining, the Italian manager stressed that his players must remain fully aware of the precarious position they occupy. "I don’t want to create additional pressure, but we have to be realistic about the situation," De Zerbi explained. "We cannot ignore the table, we cannot ignore the fact that we need to win.
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 that Spurs deserve to win them.
"Brighton were one of the strongest sides in the league – after Chelsea everyone understood the challenge. We played well but were unlucky," he said, reflecting on the recent draw. "Wolves are not an easy opponent, even though they are already relegated.
They have nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous." De Zerbi emphasized his role in preparing the squad: "My job is to set up the team in the best possible way and let the players express themselves on the pitch. These are talented individuals with important qualities, and they can play without overthinking the pressure." James Maddison will travel to Molineux with his teammates, but the England midfielder is still not match‑fit, De Zerbi confirmed. Maddison, who suffered an ACL rupture during pre‑season, has not featured in a Premier League game for a year. He was named on the bench for the Brighton match, marking his first inclusion since the injury.
"Maddison is still feeling some discomfort. He had pain this week, but it is not a serious issue. He will be with us tomorrow because his presence is vital," De Zerbi said.
"Whether he plays or not is secondary; his leadership and positive attitude are essential for the dressing room. I want to see good, upbeat people around the squad, and he provides that for his teammates." Injury concerns continue to plague Tottenham. Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all doubtful, adding to a long list that already includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski.
Regarding Udogie, De Zerbi noted, "He performed excellently in the first half against Brighton, but I don’t think he will be fit for tomorrow. It’s not a major injury, just a precaution. He is a crucial player for us, and I hope he will be available for the Villa Park game." Sarr, who has been dealing with shoulder pain, will also miss the Wolves trip. "He didn’t train with the group this week and is not available," the manager explained.
Vicario, meanwhile, will miss the match but is expected to return to training on Monday. "Antonin Kinsky is in great form, and I hope Vicario can come back in top physical condition," De Zerbi added. Beyond the on‑field issues, Tottenham have announced that they will wear shirts bearing the slogan “Spurs against Racism” for the Wolves game. The decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at 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, resulting in the removal and banning of several accounts. Speaking about the incident, De Zerbi said, "I was very upset by the abuse aimed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game and one mistake does not define him. The behavior off the pitch is what concerns me.
Kevin will be with us next season; he is a good person and we are lucky to have him." Tottenham fans can watch free highlights of the Wolves versus Spurs encounter on the Sky Sports app from 5.15 pm on Saturday. The club also encourages supporters to participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available.
Overall, De Zerbi’s message is clear: respect the reality of the relegation battle, stay focused, and treat each remaining fixture as an opportunity to secure vital points. The upcoming match at Molineux will test the squad’s resilience, depth, and mental strength, and a win could provide the momentum needed to steer the club clear of the drop zone before the season’s final stretch.