Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Roberto De Zerbi was blunt about the importance of Saturday’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers as his side fights to avoid sharing the same fate as the Wolves, who have already been consigned to relegation. The Italian coach emphasized that while he does not wish to burden his squad with undue stress, the reality of their league position demands a win. At the moment, Spurs are entrenched in the Premier League’s lower reaches, sitting in the relegation zone with a two‑point gap behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and an eight‑point deficit to 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest. Their recent 5‑0 demolition of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light did little to improve their standing, as the victory came in the Championship rather than the top flight.
After a hard‑fought home draw against Brighton & Hove Albion – a game in which Tottenham twice held the lead before settling for a point – the team still has not secured a league win in the 2026 calendar year. With only five matches remaining in the campaign, De Zerbi warned his players not to lose sight of the precarious situation. “I don’t want to create extra pressure, but we have to be fully aware of where we stand,” he said. “We can’t ignore the table.
We need to win, and we need to win at Wolves.” He added that the effort required to stay up is far from finished, even if the Wolves game ends in their favour. De Zerbi highlighted the difficulty of the upcoming fixture, noting that Wolves, despite already being relegated, remain a dangerous opponent.
“The last three home games they have drawn with Arsenal and beaten both Aston Villa and Liverpool,” he observed. “When a team has nothing to lose, they play with a freedom that can be unsettling. We must stay composed and not let the pressure get to us.” He also spoke about his role in preparing the side, stressing that his job is to set up the best possible tactical framework while allowing the players to express themselves on the pitch. “These are quality players with important attributes.
They can perform without overthinking if we give them the right environment,” De Zerbi explained. Injury concerns continue to plague Tottenham. Midfielder James Maddison, who has been sidelined since sustaining an ACL injury during pre‑season, was listed on the bench for the Brighton match but remains far from match‑fit.
De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison will travel to Wolves, though his participation is uncertain. “He’s still feeling some discomfort,” the manager said. “It’s not a serious issue, but he needs time.
Whether he plays or not, his presence in the squad is valuable for morale and leadership.” The squad’s injury list is extensive. Defender Destiny Udogie, midfielder Pape Sarr, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all doubtful for the Wolves encounter. Captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski are also out, among others. De Zerbi gave a brief update on each player’s status.
Udogie, who impressed in the first half against Brighton, is likely to miss the Wolves game but could be available for the next fixture at Villa Park. Sarr is dealing with shoulder pain and will not travel, while Vicario is expected to return to training next Monday after a brief absence. Beyond the on‑field concerns, Tottenham are taking a strong stance against racism.
The club announced that players will wear shirts bearing the slogan “Spurs against Racism” for the Wolves match, following an incident in which Kevin Danso was subjected to online abuse 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 abuse directed at Danso, praising the defender’s performance and condemning any form of discrimination. “I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game. One mistake does not define a player; it’s the behaviour on the pitch that matters,” he said. The club’s statement reinforced its zero‑tolerance policy, promising to take the strongest possible action against anyone who thinks racial abuse is acceptable. The message is clear: Spurs will continue to champion inclusivity and protect their players from hate.
Looking ahead, Tottenham’s schedule remains tight. After Wolves, they face a series of crucial fixtures that will determine their survival hopes. De Zerbi remains cautiously optimistic, believing his side has the quality to turn the tide.
“We deserve to win games,” he asserted. “We have to keep fighting, stay focused, and seize every opportunity.” Fans can watch highlights of the Wolves versus Tottenham match on the Sky Sports app from 5:15 pm on Saturday, and the club encourages supporters to engage with 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 one of realistic urgency: acknowledge the pressure, respect the opponent, and strive for victory without letting anxiety cripple performance. The upcoming game at Molineux is a pivotal moment in Tottenham’s battle for Premier League survival, and the manager’s balanced approach aims to harness the squad’s talent while safeguarding their mental focus.