Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has been unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers as his side continues to fight to avoid the same fate that befell their rivals last season. The Spurs are entrenched in the relegation zone, 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 settling for a stalemate – the team has yet to secure its first league win of the 2026 campaign. With only five matches remaining, the Italian coach 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, we cannot ignore the fact that we need victories. 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 went on to outline the remaining fixtures, noting that there are four games left after the Wolves encounter.
"We deserve to win games," De Zerbi said. "I knew Brighton was one of the strongest sides in the league – after Chelsea everyone understood the challenge. We played well but were unlucky. It’s not an easy match," he added, referring to the trip to Molineux, where Wolves are already confirmed as relegated.
De Zerbi highlighted the difficulty of facing a side with nothing to lose. "The last three home games for Wolves saw them draw with Arsenal and beat both Aston Villa and Liverpool. They are a tough opponent because they have nothing to lose.
We must play our football without feeling too much pressure," he explained. "My job is to prepare the team as best as possible and then let them play.
These are very talented players with important qualities, and they can perform without overthinking." James Maddison will travel to Wolves with the squad, but De Zerbi confirmed the England midfielder is still not fit to start. Maddison, who suffered an ACL injury during pre‑season, made his long‑awaited return to the matchday squad by being named on the bench for the Brighton draw.
However, he has not featured in a Premier League game for a year. When asked about Maddison’s status, De Zerbi said, "Maddison is not fully available yet. He felt some pain this week, but it isn’t a serious problem. He will travel with us tomorrow because he is important to the group.
Whether he plays or not doesn’t change the fact that his presence is valuable – he is a leader and a positive influence in the dressing room. I want to see positive, supportive people, and his attitude matters for his teammates as well." Injury concerns continue to plague Tottenham. 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. De Zerbi addressed Udogie's situation, saying, "Destiny has a problem; I don’t think he can 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 major injury, but it can happen. He is a crucial player for us." He also confirmed that Sarr will miss the Wolves trip due to shoulder pain, and Vicario will be unavailable as well, though the keeper is expected to return to training on Monday. "Sarr felt pain in his shoulder this week and didn’t train with the group, so he’s not available.
Vicario is also out, but I hope he can start with me on Monday. Antonin Kinsky is playing really well, and I hope Vicario returns in top physical condition – he is another important player for us," De Zerbi added. Beyond the on‑field issues, Tottenham have announced that the team will wear shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the high‑stakes match at Wolves. The decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw.
The club issued a statement declaring, "We want to make it clear to the world that if anyone thinks it is acceptable to racially abuse our players, we will take the strongest possible action." Spurs have reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police and other relevant authorities, resulting in the removal and banning of several accounts. In his press conference, De Zerbi expressed his frustration, stating, "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game. One mistake does not define a player; it is the behaviour on the pitch that matters.
He will be here next season because he is a good guy, and we are lucky to have him." The club’s anti‑racism campaign underscores their commitment to creating a safe environment for all players, reinforcing the message that discrimination will not be tolerated. Fans are encouraged to support the cause by wearing the special shirts and spreading awareness on social media.
For supporters who cannot attend the match, highlights of the Wolves versus Tottenham encounter will be available on the Sky Sports app from 5.15 pm on Saturday. Additionally, the club is running a promotional Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £250,000 with free entry.
In summary, De Zerbi’s message is clear: while he does not wish to burden his players with extra pressure, the reality of the relegation battle demands focus, determination, and a win against Wolves. The team must balance tactical preparation with mental resilience, manage a growing injury list, and uphold the club’s values both on and off the pitch as they strive to secure their Premier League status.