Roberto De Zerbi, the head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, has been unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming match at Wolves, a fixture that could prove pivotal in the club's fight to avoid relegation. Tottenham sit deep in the Premier League’s bottom three, trailing 17th‑placed West Ham by two points and lagging eight points behind 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest after a crushing 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. The team’s recent form has been disappointing. Under De Zerbi’s stewardship, Spurs earned their first point with a home draw against Brighton, a game in which they twice held the lead before settling for a stalemate.
Yet, despite that small improvement, they have yet to secure a league win in the 2026 campaign. With only five matches left in the season, the Italian manager knows that every point is crucial and wants his players to stay fully aware of the precarious situation. "I don’t want to create extra pressure, but we must understand where we stand," De Zerbi explained. "We cannot ignore the table or 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 isn’t over, but it will be a massive step forward." He added that the team has four games remaining after Wolves and that Spurs deserve to win those contests.
"Brighton was one of the strongest sides in the league, and after Chelsea, everyone realised the level we were up against. We played well but were unlucky," he said, reflecting on the recent draw. "Wolves is a tough opponent, especially now that they have already been relegated.
They have nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous." De Zerbi emphasized his role in preparing the squad: "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 great qualities, and they can perform without overthinking it." James Maddison will travel to Wolves with the squad, although he remains unavailable for selection. The England midfielder finally re‑joined the first‑team bench for the Brighton game after a long rehabilitation from an ACL injury suffered in pre‑season. Maddison has not featured in a Premier League match for a year.
When asked about his status, De Zerbi said, "Maddison still feels some discomfort. He’s not fully fit yet, but he will travel with us because his presence is important for the group. Whether he plays or not is secondary; his leadership and positivity are vital in the dressing room." Injury concerns continue to plague Tottenham.
Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all doubtful, adding to an already extensive list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. De Zerbi clarified each case: "Udogie picked up a problem after a strong first half against Brighton, so I doubt he’ll be fit for tomorrow. We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie can return for the Villa Park game." Regarding Sarr, the manager said, "He felt a shoulder pain this week and missed training, so he won’t travel to Wolves. Vicario is also unavailable, but I expect him back with the squad on Monday.
Antonin Kinsky is playing exceptionally well, and I hope Vicario recovers in top condition because he is another key player for us." Off the pitch, Tottenham have announced that they will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves clash. This gesture follows the online racist abuse directed at Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. The club issued a statement condemning such behavior, noting that they have reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of several accounts.
De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the incident: "I was very upset about the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game, and a single mistake does not define him. What matters is his conduct on the pitch.
He will be with us next season because he is a good person and a valuable teammate." The upcoming match at Molineux will be streamed live on the Sky Sports app, with highlights available from 5:15 pm on Saturday. Fans can also participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry. As the season draws to a close, Tottenham’s fate hangs in the balance, and De Zerbi’s message is clear: stay focused, play with confidence, and seize every opportunity to collect points, starting with a win at Wolves.