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 squad with excessive pressure, the reality of their situation demands a win. The Spurs are entrenched in a relegation battle, sitting in the bottom three of the Premier League table 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‑place Nottingham Forest. The team has managed only a single point under De Zerbi’s tenure, earned from a home draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in which Spurs twice held the lead before settling for a stalemate.
Despite that modest achievement, Tottenham have yet to secure their first league victory of the 2025‑26 season. With just five fixtures remaining, every point is crucial, and De Zerbi warned his players not to lose sight of the stakes.
"I don’t want to create extra pressure, but we must be fully aware of where we stand," 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 fight isn’t over yet." He added that the club deserves to win matches and that the Brighton game, although a solid performance against one of the league’s stronger sides, was ultimately unlucky. "It wasn’t an easy match," he noted, referring to the trip to Molineux, where Wolves have already confirmed their relegation and will be playing with nothing to lose. The manager highlighted Wolves' recent home form: a draw with Arsenal and victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool. "They are a tough opponent because they have nothing to lose," De Zerbi explained.
"We have to play our football without feeling too much pressure. My job is to prepare the team as best as I can, but the players must execute on the pitch.
They are talented, they have important qualities, and they can keep a clear head." 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, has not featured in a Premier League game for a year.
He was named on the bench for the Brighton draw, marking his first inclusion since the injury, but he remains a doubt for the Wolves fixture. "Maddison is not available yet," De Zerbi said.
"He felt pain this week, but it’s not a serious problem. He will travel with us because he is important to the group. Whether he plays or not, it would be a boost, but even if he doesn’t, his presence as a leader and a positive influence is valuable. I want to see positive people in the dressing room; it matters for his teammates as well." In addition to Maddison, Spurs are dealing with a lengthy injury list that includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Destiny Udogie, who impressed in both halves of the Brighton game, is also doubtful for the Wolves match. De Zerbi expressed concern over Udogie's fitness, noting that the young left‑back suffered a problem that could keep him out of the next fixture.
"Destiny has an issue," the manager said. "I don’t think he can play tomorrow.
He played a great first half against Brighton, but the injury may rule him out. We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie will be fit for the Villa Park game.
It’s not a major injury, but it does affect us because he is a crucial player." Sarr will also miss the trip after experiencing shoulder pain, and Vicario remains unavailable, though De Zerbi expects the goalkeeper to rejoin the squad by the following Monday. He praised Antonin Kinský’s recent performances and expressed optimism that Vicario will return in top physical condition.
Beyond the on‑field concerns, Tottenham have announced that the team will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves encounter. This decision follows an incident in which Kevin Danso was subjected to online racist abuse after the Brighton draw. The club stated that it will take the strongest possible action against anyone who believes such abuse is acceptable, reporting the offending content to the Metropolitan Police and working with platforms to remove and ban the responsible accounts. De Zerbi addressed the abuse in his press conference, saying, "I was very upset about the abuse directed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game. One mistake on the pitch does not justify such behaviour.
He will be with us next season because he is a good guy, and we are lucky to have him." The upcoming match will be streamed live on the Sky Sports app, with highlights available after the final whistle. Tottenham fans also have the chance to participate in a Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize pool. In summary, De Zerbi’s message to his squad is clear: recognize the gravity of the relegation battle, stay focused, and seize the opportunity at Wolves to earn three vital points.
While injuries and squad rotation pose challenges, the manager believes the team possesses the quality and mental resilience to deliver the result needed to keep their Premier League status alive. The club’s stance against racism underscores its broader commitment to a respectful and inclusive environment, both on and off the pitch.