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 add extra pressure on his squad, the reality of their situation demands a win. The Spurs find themselves entrenched in the Premier League relegation battle, sitting in the bottom three with a mere two points separating them from 17th‑placed West Ham United and a daunting eight‑point gap to 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest after a crushing 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The recent fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion offered a glimmer of progress, as Tottenham secured their first point under De Zerbi with a 1-1 draw at home. The match saw Spurs take the lead twice, only for Brighton to equalise each time, highlighting both the potential and the fragility of the side.
Nevertheless, the victory column remains barren for the 2026 season, and with only five games left on the calendar, every point is critical. "I don't want to put pressure on the players, but we have to be fully aware of where we stand," De Zerbi told reporters. "We cannot ignore the league table, and we must remember that winning is essential.
What we have done so far is insufficient. If we manage to win at Wolves, the battle is not over, but it will be a significant step forward." He went on to stress that the remaining four matches present an opportunity for Spurs to demonstrate their quality. "We deserve to win games," De Zerbi said. "Brighton proved themselves to be one of the strongest sides in the division.
After Chelsea, everyone understood the level we need to reach. We played well but were unlucky." The Wolves fixture is particularly challenging because the host club has already been relegated, meaning they have nothing to lose and will approach the game with a fearless attitude.
De Zerbi acknowledged this, noting, "It's not an easy game because they have nothing to lose. We have to play our football without feeling excessive pressure. My job is to prepare the team as best as possible, but ultimately it is about playing football.
These players have great talent and important qualities, and they can perform without overthinking." In addition to tactical considerations, De Zerbi addressed squad fitness concerns. Midfielder James Maddison, who suffered an ACL injury during pre‑season, will travel with the team to Wolverhampton but remains unavailable for selection. The 29‑year‑old has not featured in a Premier League match for a year, and his recovery is ongoing.
"Maddison is not ready yet," De Zerbi explained. "He felt pain this week, but it is not a serious problem. He will travel with us because he is important for the group, both as a player and as a leader. Whether he plays or not does not change the fact that his presence is valuable for morale." Injury woes continue to plague Tottenham, with several key players ruled out.
Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario have all been added to a long list that already includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. De Zerbi gave an update on each: "Udogie has a problem; I think he cannot play tomorrow. He performed well in both halves against Brighton, but the first half was especially impressive. We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie will be fit for the Villa Park match.
It's not a critical injury, but it does affect us." Regarding Sarr, the manager said, "He felt pain in his shoulder and did not train with the group this week, so he will miss the Wolves trip. Vicario is also unavailable at the moment, but I expect him to return to training on Monday. Antonin Kinsky is playing very well, and I hope Vicario can come back in top physical condition, as he is another important player for us." Beyond the on‑field issues, Tottenham have taken a firm stance against racism ahead of the Wolves game. The club announced that players will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" after Kevin Danso was subjected to online racist abuse following the Brighton draw.
Spurs confirmed that they have reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police, leading to the removal and banning of the offending accounts. De Zerbi expressed his frustration, stating, "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game, and a single mistake does not define him. The behavior off the pitch is what concerns me.
He will be with us next season because he is a good person, and we are fortunate to have him." The club's anti‑racism campaign underscores their commitment to creating a safe environment for all players and fans. By displaying the message on their kits, Spurs aim to send a clear signal that any form of discrimination will be met with the strongest possible response. Looking ahead, Tottenham's schedule remains tight.
After the Wolves encounter, they will host Aston Villa, travel to Liverpool, and then face Arsenal at the Emirates before concluding the season against Manchester City. Each of these fixtures carries its own set of challenges, but De Zerbi believes that a win at Molineux could ignite a much‑needed surge in confidence. "We have to treat each game as a final," he remarked. "The pressure will always be there, but we must focus on our football, stay disciplined, and seize every opportunity.
If we can secure three points at Wolves, it will give us momentum and belief that we can finish the season strongly." For supporters eager 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 the club encourages fans to engage with the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000. The upcoming weeks will be decisive for Spurs, and De Zerbi's message is clear: maintain composure, respect the circumstances, and fight for every point to stay clear of the relegation zone.