Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Roberto De Zerbi was unequivocal about the importance of Saturday’s clash at Wolves as his side continues to fight for survival in the Premier League. The Spurs find themselves entrenched in the relegation zone, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest after a 5‑0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. Although De Zerbi’s tenure has already produced a point – a hard‑earned home draw against Brighton in which Spurs led twice before settling for a stalemate – the club has yet to claim a league win in the 2026 campaign.
With only five fixtures remaining, the Italian manager stressed that his players must remain aware of the precarious position they occupy. "I don’t want to add extra pressure, but we must recognise the reality of the situation," De Zerbi told reporters. "We cannot ignore the table, we cannot forget that we need victories. What we have done so far simply isn’t enough.
If we manage to win at Wolves, the battle isn’t over, but we will have taken a crucial step forward." He went on to outline the upcoming schedule: "There are four games left after this one. We deserve to win them. I knew Brighton were one of the strongest sides in the league – after Chelsea, everyone understood the challenge.
We played well but were unlucky." Regarding the Wolves fixture, De Zerbi acknowledged the difficulty of facing a side that has already been relegated. "It’s not an easy game," he said, adding that Wolves have nothing to lose, which makes them especially dangerous opponents.
"We have to play our football without feeling too much pressure. My job is to prepare the team as best I can, but ultimately it’s about the players executing on the pitch. They have the quality, they have the talent, and they can keep a clear head." In addition to tactical concerns, De Zerbi addressed the fitness situation of key squad members.
Midfielder James Maddison will travel to Wolverhampton, but the England international is still not match‑fit. Maddison, who suffered an ACL tear during pre‑season, has not featured in a Premier League game for a year. De Zerbi explained, "Maddison still feels some discomfort. This week it was more noticeable, but it’s not a serious issue.
He will be with us for the match because his presence is important. Whether he plays or not is secondary – his leadership and positive influence in the dressing room are vital." Injury woes continue to plague Spurs. Defender Destiny Udogie, midfielder Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined, adding to a lengthy list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. De Zerbi gave a brief update on each player: "Udogie suffered a problem after a strong first half against Brighton, so I doubt he will be available tomorrow.
We have Djed Spence and Souza to cover, and I hope Udogie will be fit for the Villa Park game. It’s not a catastrophic injury, but it does affect us." He added that Sarr’s shoulder pain will keep him out of the Wolves trip, while Vicario is also unavailable but is expected to return to training next Monday. "Antonin Kinsky has been performing exceptionally well, and I hope Vicario can rejoin us in top physical condition. He is another key 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 high‑stakes encounter. This decision follows an incident in which Kevin Danso was subjected to online racist abuse after the draw with Brighton. The club issued a statement condemning the abuse, confirming that all offending content has been reported to the Metropolitan Police and that the responsible accounts have been removed and banned. "We want to make it crystal clear that any form of racial abuse will be met with the strongest possible action," the club declared.
De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the abuse directed at Danso, praising the defender’s performance despite the negativity. "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game. One mistake does not define a player; it’s the overall behaviour on the pitch that matters. He will be with us next season because he’s a good guy and we’re lucky to have him," the manager said. Fans can catch the live action via the Sky Sports app, with highlights available from 5.15 pm on Saturday.
Additionally, the club has launched a “Super 6” competition offering a chance to win £250,000, with free entry for participants. As the season draws to a close, every point will be crucial for Tottenham, and De Zerbi’s measured yet urgent message underscores the high stakes that await the Spurs at Wolves.