Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Roberto De Zerbi was unequivocal on Saturday’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, underlining how vital the fixture is as the North London club continues to fight for survival in the Premier League. After a drubbing of Sunderland that saw the team win 5-0 at the Stadium of Light, Spurs remain entrenched in the relegation zone, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑place Nottingham Forest. The side’s recent form has offered little comfort. Their first point under De Zerbi arrived in a home draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, a match in which Spurs held the lead twice but ultimately failed to secure all three points.
That result left them still searching for their inaugural league victory of the 2025‑26 season, with only five games remaining to turn the tide. In this precarious context, 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 explained. "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 get a win at Wolves, the battle isn’t over, but it will be a massive step forward." He went on to stress that the Wolves match would be one of four remaining fixtures, each offering a chance to collect points that could prove decisive. "We deserve to win games," he said.
"Brighton is one of the best sides in the league, and after Chelsea everyone understood the quality we displayed. We played well, but we were unlucky." De Zerbi also addressed the difficulty of facing Wolves, who have already been relegated this season. "It’s not an easy game," he admitted.
"They have nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous. We have to play our football without the weight of too much pressure. My job is to prepare the team as best I can, but ultimately it’s about playing football. These players have great qualities and can perform without overthinking." In addition to tactical concerns, the manager touched on the fitness status of key squad members.
James Maddison will travel to Wolverhampton with the team, but De Zerbi confirmed that the England midfielder is still not fully match‑fit. Maddison, who suffered an ACL injury during pre‑season and has not featured in a Premier League match for a year, was named on the bench for the Brighton game. "Maddison isn’t available yet.
He felt some pain this week, but it’s not serious," De Zerbi said. "He’ll travel with us because he’s important, both on the pitch and as a leader in the dressing room. If he can play, that would be ideal, but his presence alone is valuable for morale." Injury woes 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 gave a brief update on each case. "Udogie had a problem after his first‑half performance against Brighton – he played well but I don’t think he’ll be fit for tomorrow," the manager said.
"We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie returns for the Villa Park game." Sarr, who suffered shoulder pain, will miss the Wolves trip, while Vicario is also unavailable but is expected to rejoin the squad next Monday. "Sarr didn’t train with the group this week because of his shoulder, and Vicario needs a few more days to be fully fit. Antonin Kinsky is playing really well, and I hope Vicario can come back in top condition," De Zerbi added. Beyond the on‑field battle, Tottenham have taken a stand against racism.
The club announced that players will wear shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves fixture, following online abuse directed at Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. The club’s statement made clear that any racist conduct will be met with the strongest possible action, including reporting to the Metropolitan Police and the removal of offending accounts.
De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the abuse aimed at Danso, praising the defender’s performance despite the hateful messages. "I was very annoyed by 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 – he’s a good guy and we’re lucky to have him," the manager said. Looking ahead, Tottenham will also be keeping an eye on the Premier League table and the performances of their rivals. Wolves, despite being relegated, have shown resilience, drawing with Arsenal and securing victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool at home.
Their lack of pressure could make them a dangerous opponent, and De Zerbi emphasized the need for Spurs to stay focused and execute their game plan. The upcoming match will be streamed live on various platforms, and fans can catch highlights on the Sky Sports app from 5:15 pm on Saturday. In addition, the club is running a Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize, encouraging supporters to engage with the team’s journey as they strive to escape the drop zone.
In summary, De Zerbi’s message to his squad is clear: acknowledge the gravity of the situation, maintain composure, and seize the opportunity at Wolves to earn vital points. With injuries limiting options and the pressure of a shrinking fixture list, the manager’s balanced approach—combining realistic honesty with encouragement—will be crucial as Tottenham looks to secure its Premier League future.