Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Roberto De Zerbi was unequivocal about the importance of Saturday’s fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers, emphasizing that his side must secure points in the fight to escape the relegation zone. The Spurs are currently entrenched in the bottom three of the Premier League, 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. Although De Zerbi’s tenure has already produced a point – a hard‑earned draw at home against Brighton where Spurs led twice before ultimately sharing the spoils – the club is still searching for its first league win of the 2026 campaign.
With only five matches remaining, the Italian manager warned his players not to lose sight of the precarious situation they find themselves in. "I don’t want to add extra pressure, but we must be fully aware of where we stand," De Zerbi told reporters.
"We cannot ignore the table or 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 isn’t over, but it will be a massive step forward." He added that there are still four games left after the Wolves encounter and that Spurs deserve victories. "Brighton were one of the strongest sides in the league, and after Chelsea everyone understood the challenge we faced.
We played well but were unlucky," he said, reflecting on the recent draw. "Wolves are already relegated, which makes the game tougher because they have nothing to lose.
We have to play our football without feeling the weight of expectation." De Zerbi explained his role as preparing the team as thoroughly as possible while allowing the players to express themselves on the pitch. "These are very talented individuals with important qualities.
They can perform without overthinking if we keep the atmosphere calm," he noted. James Maddison will travel to Molineux with the squad, but the England midfielder is still not match‑fit, De Zerbi confirmed. Maddison, who suffered a serious ACL injury during pre‑season, has not featured for Tottenham since that setback and has not made a Premier League appearance in over a year.
"Maddison is still feeling some discomfort," the manager said. "It’s not a serious issue, but he did feel pain this week. He will be with us tomorrow because his presence is valuable, whether he plays or not. He brings leadership and a positive mindset to the dressing room, which is crucial for the team." Injury concerns continue to plague Spurs.
Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all doubtful, adding to a long list that already includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. Regarding Udogie, De Zerbi remarked, "He performed brilliantly in the first half against Brighton, but I don’t think he will be fit for tomorrow.
It’s a minor setback; these things happen. He is an essential player for us, and I hope he recovers in time for the Villa Park match." Sarr, who is dealing with shoulder pain, will miss the Wolves trip, while Vicario is also unavailable but is expected to rejoin the squad next Monday. "Antonín Kinský has been in great form, and I look forward to Vicario returning in top condition," De Zerbi added.
Beyond the on‑field matters, Tottenham have announced that they will wear shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the crucial match at Wolves. This decision follows an incident of online racial abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw.
The club issued a statement condemning such behaviour, confirming that they have reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of the offending accounts. Speaking about the incident, De Zerbi expressed his frustration: "I was very upset by the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played an excellent game, and a single mistake does not define a player. What matters is his conduct on the pitch.
He will be with us next season; he is a good person and we are fortunate to have him." The upcoming clash against Wolves is therefore a pivotal moment for Tottenham. A win would not only close the gap to safety but also provide a morale boost for a squad battling injuries and confidence issues. De Zerbi’s message to his players is clear: stay focused, respect the situation, and play with the freedom that allows their talents to shine.
The fans, too, will be watching closely, hoping that the combination of tactical preparation and the players’ resolve can deliver the long‑awaited victory that could steer the club away from the relegation threat. For those unable to watch live, highlights of the Wolves versus Tottenham match will be available on the Sky Sports app from 5:15 pm on Saturday, and there is also a promotional Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £250,000.