Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has been unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, emphasizing that his side must seize the chance to secure three points as they continue to fight against relegation. The Spurs are entrenched in the lower reaches of the Premier League table, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest after a crushing 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. Having earned only a solitary point under De Zerbi’s tenure – a hard‑earned draw at home against Brighton where Spurs led twice before settling for a stalemate – Tottenham have yet to register their first league victory of the 2026 campaign. With just five matches remaining in the season, the Italian coach warned his players not to lose sight of the precarious situation they find themselves in.
"I don't want to put pressure on the squad, but we must be fully aware of where we stand," De Zerbi told reporters. "We cannot ignore the league table; we cannot pretend that a win is optional.
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 massive step forward." He went on to stress that there are still four games left after the Wolves fixture and that Spurs deserve to claim victories.
"Brighton is one of the strongest sides in the division. After Chelsea, everyone recognised the quality they bring. We played well but were unlucky. It wasn't an easy match," he added, referring to the recent encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Wolves test is particularly daunting because the hosts have already been relegated, meaning they will play with nothing to lose. "The last three home games for Wolves have been a draw with Arsenal and wins over Aston Villa and Liverpool," De Zerbi noted. "That makes it a tough opponent because they can play with freedom. We have to stay composed and not let pressure get to us." De Zerbi explained his role as preparing the team as thoroughly as possible while allowing the players to express themselves on the pitch.
"These are very talented individuals with important qualities. They can perform without overthinking.
My job is to give them the best possible preparation and then let them play football." James Maddison will travel to Wolverhampton with the squad, but the England midfielder is still not match‑fit, De Zerbi confirmed. Maddison returned to the bench for the Brighton draw after a long lay‑off caused by an ACL injury suffered in pre‑season. He has not featured in a Premier League game for a year. When asked about Maddison's status, the manager said, "He is still feeling some discomfort.
This week he felt pain, but it is not a serious issue. He will travel with us tomorrow because his presence is important.
Whether he plays or not is secondary; his leadership and positive influence in the dressing room are invaluable. I want to see positive, supportive people around the team, and he provides that." Injury concerns continue to plague Tottenham. Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined, adding to an already extensive list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. "Udogie has a problem," De Zerbi explained.
"I think he can't play tomorrow. He had a great first half against Brighton, but the second half was tough. We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie will be fit for the Villa Park game.
It's not a critical injury, but it could happen. He is a crucial player for us." The manager also confirmed that Sarr will miss the Wolves trip due to shoulder pain, while Vicario remains unavailable but is expected to rejoin the squad next Monday. "Sarr felt pain in his shoulder this week and hasn't trained with the group. Vicario is also out, but I hope he can start with me on Monday.
Antonin Kinsky is playing really well, and I hope Vicario returns in top physical condition because he is another important player for us," De Zerbi said. Beyond the on‑field challenges, Tottenham have announced that the team will wear shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the crucial Wolves fixture. The decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. The club issued a statement underscoring its zero‑tolerance stance: "We want to make it clear that any form of racial abuse towards our players will be met with the strongest possible action." Spurs have reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of several accounts.
In his press conference, De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the abuse aimed at Danso, noting, "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 off the pitch. He will be with us next season because he is a good person, and we are lucky to have him." The upcoming match will be broadcast live, with highlights available on the Sky Sports app from 5.15 pm on Saturday.
Fans can also take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, entering for free. In summary, De Zerbi is urging his squad to keep a clear head, respect the gravity of their league position, and seize the opportunity at Wolves to move away from the relegation zone. While injuries and off‑field issues add layers of complexity, the manager believes that a focused, pressure‑free approach combined with the players' innate quality can deliver the crucial win that Tottenham desperately needs to keep their Premier League status alive.