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 wish to place undue pressure on his squad, the reality of their situation demands a win. The Spurs are entrenched in the Premier League relegation battle, sitting in the drop zone after a 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, which left them two points behind West Ham in 17th place and eight points adrift of Nottingham Forest in 16th. With only five matches remaining in the campaign, every point has become critical, and De Zerbi is determined that his players remain fully aware of the stakes. The Italian coach’s side managed to secure their first point under his tenure with a home draw against Brighton, a game in which Tottenham led twice but ultimately could not find a winner.
Despite that small improvement, the team has yet to record their first league triumph of the 2025-2026 season. In his pre‑match press conference, De Zerbi warned that complacency would be dangerous and that the club could not afford to forget the league table or the urgent need for victories.
"I don't want to create extra pressure, but we must understand the situation we are in," De Zerbi said. "We cannot ignore the standings; we have to win. What we have done so far is insufficient.
If we win at Wolves, the fight is not over, but it will be a massive step forward." He added that there are four games left after the Wolves fixture and that Spurs deserve to claim points. De Zerbi praised Brighton as one of the league's strongest sides, noting that after the match against Chelsea, everyone recognized the quality of the opposition.
He described the Brighton game as well‑played but ultimately unlucky, and he stressed that the upcoming encounter with Wolves will be challenging because the Wolves squad have already been relegated and therefore have nothing to lose. "It will be a tough test," De Zerbi explained. "They have nothing to lose, so 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, have important qualities, and can play with clear minds." In addition to tactical considerations, De Zerbi addressed the fitness of key players. Midfielder James Maddison will travel to Wolverhampton with the squad, but he is still not fully match‑fit. Maddison, who suffered a serious ACL injury during pre‑season, made a tentative return to the bench for the Brighton draw but has not featured in a Premier League match for a year.
De Zerbi clarified that Maddison is feeling some pain but that it is not a serious issue, and that his presence, even if only as a morale booster, is valuable for the dressing‑room. "Maddison is not available yet. He felt pain this week, but it’s not serious. He will travel with us because he is important," De Zerbi said.
"If he plays, great, but even if he does not, his leadership and positive attitude are crucial for the team." The manager also listed several other absences that have further depleted the squad. Defender Destiny Udogie, midfielder Pape Sarr, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined with injuries, adding to an already long list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. De Zerbi explained that Udogie suffered a problem after a strong first‑half performance against Brighton and is doubtful for the Wolves game, though he hopes the player will be fit for the next match at Villa Park.
"Udogie has a problem; I don’t think he can play tomorrow. He played a great first half against Brighton, but the injury may keep him out," De Zerbi said. "We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie returns soon." Sarr, according to De Zerbi, is dealing with shoulder pain and therefore will miss the Wolves trip, while Vicario is also unavailable but is expected to rejoin the squad by the following Monday.
The manager expressed optimism about the recovery of both players, noting that Vicario’s return will strengthen the team’s defensive options. "Sarr felt pain in his shoulder and has not trained this week, so he is not available. 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," De Zerbi added.
Beyond the on‑field issues, Tottenham have announced that the players will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the match against Wolves. This decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw.
The club released a statement condemning the abuse, confirming that they have reported the offending content to the Metropolitan Police and that the accounts responsible have been removed and banned. De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the abuse aimed at Danso, emphasizing that the player performed admirably and that a single mistake should not be magnified.
He praised Danso’s character and confirmed that the defender will remain part of the squad for the next season. "I was very annoyed by the abuse towards Kevin.
He played a fantastic game. One mistake does not define him; his conduct on the pitch matters," De Zerbi said. "He will be here next season because he is a good guy and we are lucky to have him." The upcoming fixture against Wolves therefore carries multiple layers of significance: a chance to secure vital points, an opportunity for injured players to regain confidence, and a platform for the club to demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility.
Spurs supporters will be watching closely, hoping that De Zerbi's balanced approach—acknowledging the pressure without allowing it to overwhelm his players—will translate into a performance that moves the team out of the relegation zone and restores belief in a season that has so far been fraught with challenges. For those wanting to follow the action, highlights of the Wolves versus Tottenham match will be available on the Sky Sports App from 5:15 pm on Saturday, and fans can also participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000.
The club’s stance against racism, combined with the urgent need for points, underscores the broader narrative of a team fighting on multiple fronts to secure its Premier League future.