Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi was unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers, stressing that while he does not wish to burden his squad with excessive pressure, the reality of their league position demands a victory. The North London club continues to fight for survival in the Premier League, sitting in the relegation zone after a 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. That loss left Spurs two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑place Nottingham Forest. The team’s recent form has been disappointing.
Under De Zerbi’s stewardship, Tottenham have managed only a single point from a home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, a match in which they led twice before settling for a stalemate. Despite the incremental progress, the club has yet to register its first league win of the 2026 campaign.
With just five games remaining, the manager warned his players not to lose sight of the precarious situation they find themselves in. "I don’t want to create extra pressure, but we must be fully aware of where we stand," De Zerbi told reporters. "We cannot ignore the table or the fact that we need to secure wins.
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 Tottenham have four games left after the Wolves encounter, and that the squad deserves to claim victories.
"Brighton are one of the strongest sides in the league, and after Chelsea everyone understood the challenge we faced. We played well but were unlucky," he said, reflecting on the recent draw. "Wolves are already relegated, which makes the game even tougher because they have nothing to lose.
We must stay composed and not let pressure dictate our performance." De Zerbi highlighted his role in preparing the team: "My job is to get the players ready in the best possible way, then let them play football. These are talented individuals with important qualities, and they can perform without overthinking." Injury concerns continue to plague Spurs. Midfielder James Maddison, who suffered an ACL tear during pre‑season, will travel to Wolverhampton but remains unavailable for selection.
De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison is still experiencing pain, though it is not deemed serious. "He will be with us for the match because he is a key figure in the dressing room," the manager explained. "Whether he plays or not, his presence is valuable for morale and leadership." The injury list also includes left‑back Destiny Udogie, midfielder Pape Sarr, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, alongside captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski.
Udogie, who impressed in the first half of the Brighton game, is doubtful for the Wolves clash. "He had a great first half against Brighton, but I don’t think he will be fit tomorrow," De Zerbi said. "We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie returns for the Villa Park match." Sarr is sidelined with shoulder pain and will miss the Wolverhampton trip, while Vicario is also unavailable but is expected to rejoin the squad next Monday. "Antonin Kinsky is playing very well, and I hope Vicario can come back in top physical condition," De Zerbi added.
Beyond the on‑field issues, Tottenham have taken a stand against racism. The club announced that players will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the crucial game at Wolves, following online abuse directed at Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. Spurs 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, saying, "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game, and a single mistake should not define him.
He will be with us next season because he is a good person and a valuable teammate." The upcoming match will be broadcast live, with highlights available on the Sky Sports app from 5:15 pm on Saturday. Fans are also encouraged to participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available. As the season draws to a close, De Zerbi’s message is clear: stay focused, respect the gravity of the situation, and seize every opportunity to earn the points needed to stay in the Premier League.