Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi was unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, emphasizing that while he does not wish to burden his players with excess pressure, the reality of their situation demands a win. The Spurs are entrenched in a relegation battle, sitting deep in the Premier League's bottom three after a 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. That loss left them two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest.
Earlier in the week, De Zerbi's side managed to scrape a solitary point at home against Brighton & Hove Albion, a match in which Tottenham briefly held the lead on two separate occasions before ultimately settling for a draw. Despite that small improvement, the team has yet to register its first league victory of the 2025‑26 season.
With only five fixtures remaining, the manager stressed that his squad must remain fully aware of the precarious position they occupy. "I don't want to put pressure on the players, but we have to understand the situation," De Zerbi told reporters. "We cannot ignore the table, we cannot ignore the fact that we need to win. What we have done so far simply isn't enough.
If we can take three points at Wolves, the battle is not over, but it will be a massive step forward." He went on to outline the challenges ahead, noting that there are still four matches to play and that Spurs deserve to win them. "I knew Brighton was one of the strongest sides in the league, and after Chelsea everyone understood the level we were up against. We played a good game but were unlucky. Wolves, however, present a different kind of test.
They are already relegated, which means they have nothing to lose and will be highly motivated." De Zerbi highlighted the need for his players to approach the game without being weighed down by anxiety. "It's not an easy match," he said, referring to the Wolves encounter. "We have to be able to play our football, not overthink it. My job is to prepare the team as best as I can, but ultimately they must express themselves on the pitch.
These are very talented players with important qualities, and they can perform when their minds are clear." In addition to tactical considerations, the manager addressed the squad's injury list. James Maddison will travel to Wolverhampton with the team, but he remains uncertain about his fitness. The England midfielder made a long‑awaited return to the matchday squad when he was named on the bench for the Brighton draw, yet he has not played since suffering an ACL rupture during pre‑season.
De Zerbi explained, "Maddison still feels some pain, especially this week, but it's not a serious problem. He will be with us at the match because his presence is important, whether he plays or not.
His leadership and positive attitude are valuable for the dressing room." Spurs also face a depleted roster due to injuries to Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, among others such as captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. "Destiny has a problem," De Zerbi confirmed, adding that the young left‑back performed well in the first half against Brighton but is unlikely to be fit for the Wolves game. "We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie will be ready for the Villa Park match. His absence is not ideal, but injuries happen." Sarr, who suffered shoulder pain, will also miss the trip, while Vicario is expected to return to training next Monday.
"Sarr hasn't worked with the group this week and is unavailable. Vicario is not available now, but I expect him to be back in good physical condition soon. Antonin Kinsky is playing really well, and I hope Vicario can rejoin us at full strength." Beyond the on‑field concerns, Tottenham have announced they will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves fixture. This decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw.
The club issued a statement condemning the abuse, confirming that all offending content has been reported to the Metropolitan Police and that the responsible accounts have been removed and banned. De Zerbi expressed his frustration, saying, "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game, and I don't consider a single mistake to be as important as the behaviour exhibited off the pitch. He will be with us next season because he's a good guy and we are fortunate to have him." The upcoming match against Wolves is therefore pivotal not only for points but also for morale. A victory would bring Spurs closer to safety and could serve as a catalyst for the remaining fixtures. De Zerbi's message to his players is clear: stay focused, play with confidence, and remember that the club and its supporters are counting on them to deliver when it matters most.
The game is scheduled for 5.15 pm on Saturday, with highlights available on the Sky Sports app, and fans are encouraged to support the team in their fight against relegation and discrimination alike.