Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has been unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, emphasizing that while he does not want to add extra pressure on his squad, the reality of their situation demands a win. The Spurs find themselves entrenched in the relegation battle, sitting in the bottom three after a 5-0 defeat of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, which left them two points behind West Ham in 17th place and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest. The club’s recent form offers little comfort. Under De Zerbi’s stewardship, Tottenham have secured only a single point from a home draw with Brighton, a game in which they briefly led twice before settling for a stalemate.
That result marked the first point earned under the Italian coach, but it also underscored the fact that the team has yet to register a league victory in the 2026 season. With just five matches remaining, the pressure is mounting, and De Zerbi wants his players to remain fully aware of the stakes.
"I don't want to put pressure on the lads, but we have to recognise where we stand," De Zerbi explained. "We cannot ignore the table, and we cannot forget that we need to win. What we have done so far simply isn’t enough. If we can take three points at Wolves, the job isn’t finished, but it will be a massive step forward." He added that there are still four games left after the Wolves encounter, and Tottenham deserve to claim victories in those fixtures.
"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," De Zerbi said, reflecting on the narrow margins that have defined Spurs' recent performances.
The Wolves match is particularly tricky, given that the hosts have already been relegated and therefore have little to lose. "It’s not an easy game," De Zerbi admitted. "They have nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous.
We have to play our football without feeling too much pressure. My job is to prepare the team as best I can, but the players must execute on the pitch.
They are talented, they have the right attributes, and they can keep a clear mind." In addition to tactical concerns, De Zerbi addressed the fitness of key squad members. Midfielder James Maddison will travel to Wolverhampton with the group, but he is still not match‑fit.
Maddison, who suffered a serious ACL injury during pre‑season, has not featured for Tottenham since that setback and has not made a Premier League appearance in over a year. "Maddison isn’t fully available yet," De Zerbi said.
"He felt some pain this week, but it isn’t a serious issue. He’ll be with us tomorrow because he is important for the team.
Whether he plays or not, his presence is valuable – he is a leader and a positive influence in the dressing room." Injury woes continue to plague the squad. Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined, adding to an already lengthy list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski.
"Udogie has a problem," De Zerbi confirmed. "He played a great first half against Brighton, but I don’t think he can start tomorrow. 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 does affect us." Sarr, who suffered shoulder pain, will also miss the Wolves trip, while Vicario remains out but is expected to return to training on Monday. "Sarr felt pain in his shoulder and didn’t train with the group this week, so he isn’t available. Vicario is also unavailable, but I expect him back on Monday in good condition," De Zerby said, adding that Antonin Kinský has been performing admirably and could cover if needed. Beyond the on‑field matters, Tottenham have taken a stand against racism.
The club announced that the players will wear shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves fixture, a response to the online abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. The club’s statement made clear that any racist behavior will be met with the strongest possible action, including reporting offending accounts to the Metropolitan Police and ensuring they are banned from platforms. De Zerbi expressed his personal frustration with the abuse aimed at Danso, praising the defender’s performance despite the incident. "I was very annoyed by the abuse directed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game, and a single mistake does not define him. His behaviour on the pitch was exemplary, and he will be with us next season because he is a good person and a valuable player," the manager said during his press conference.
The upcoming match against Wolves will be broadcast live, with highlights available on the Sky Sports app from 5.15 pm on Saturday. Spurs supporters are also encouraged to participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available.
In summary, De Zerbi’s message to his squad is clear: acknowledge the gravity of the relegation battle, stay focused, and seize the opportunity at Wolves to collect vital points. While injuries and external issues such as racism present additional challenges, the manager believes his players have the quality and mental resilience to rise to the occasion.
The next five games will determine whether Tottenham can climb out of the drop zone or face the grim prospect of relegation.