Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi was unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, emphasizing that his side must secure a win if they hope to escape the relegation battle. The Spurs find themselves entrenched in the bottom half of the Premier League table, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest after a 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. Despite earning their first point under De Zerbi’s tenure with a hard‑fought home draw against Brighton, where they twice held the lead before settling for a stalemate, Tottenham have yet to notch a league victory in the 2026 campaign. With only five matches remaining in the season, the Italian coach warned his players not to lose sight of the precarious position they occupy.
"I don’t want to create extra pressure, but we have to be fully aware of where we stand," De Zerbi explained. "We cannot ignore the table, and we cannot ignore the fact that we need to win. What we have done so far simply isn’t enough.
If we manage to win at Wolves, the battle isn’t over, but it will be a massive step forward." He added that there are still four games left after the Wolves fixture and that the squad deserves to claim points. "I knew Brighton were one of the best teams in the league, and after Chelsea everyone understood the level we were up against. We played well but were unlucky.
It’s not an easy match," he said, referring to the upcoming trip to a side already condemned to relegation. The manager highlighted Wolves' recent home form, noting that they had drawn with Arsenal and secured victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool. "They have nothing to lose, which makes it a tough game for us.
We must play our football without feeling too much pressure," De Zerbi said. "My job is to prepare the team as best as possible, but ultimately it’s about playing football. These players have great quality and can perform without overthinking." James Maddison will travel to Wolverhampton with the squad, but De Zerbi confirmed that the England midfielder is still not match‑fit. Maddison, who suffered an ACL injury during pre‑season, was named on the bench for the Brighton draw, marking his first inclusion since his long lay‑off.
The 29‑year‑old has not featured in a Premier League game for a year. When asked about Maddison’s status, De Zerbi replied, "Maddison isn’t fully available yet. He felt some pain this week, but it’s not a serious problem.
He’ll travel with us tomorrow because he’s important for the group. Whether he plays or not, it would be ideal for him to be on the pitch, but his leadership and positive influence in the dressing room are valuable regardless." Injury concerns continue to plague Tottenham. Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined, adding to a long list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski.
De Zerbi addressed Udogie’s situation, saying, "He had a great first half against Brighton, but I don’t think he’ll be fit for tomorrow. It’s not a major injury, just a setback.
Udogie is a crucial player for us, and I hope he’ll be available for the Villa Park game." He also confirmed that Sarr will miss the Wolves trip due to shoulder pain, and Vicario will remain unavailable until at least next Monday. "Sarr hasn’t trained with the group this week because of his shoulder issue. Vicario is also out, but I expect him back in training on Monday.
Antonin Kinsky is performing well, and I hope Vicario returns in top physical condition," De Zerbi added. Off the pitch, Tottenham have announced that they will wear shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves encounter. The decision follows an incident in which Kevin Danso was subjected to online racist abuse after the Brighton draw.
The club stated, "We want to make it clear that any form of racial abuse towards our players will be met with the strongest possible action." They have reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of several accounts. Speaking about the incident, De Zerbi expressed his frustration: "I was very annoyed by the abuse directed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game, and one mistake does not define him. What matters is his behaviour on the pitch.
He will be with us next season because he’s a good person and we’re fortunate to have him." The upcoming match will be broadcast on the Sky Sports app, with highlights available from 5:15 pm on Saturday. Fans can also enter 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 clear: acknowledge the pressure, stay focused on the task at hand, and seize the opportunity at Wolves to climb out of the relegation zone.
With key players missing and the season drawing to a close, Tottenham must deliver a result to keep their Premier League future alive.