Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Roberto De Zerbi, has been unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash at Wolves. With the club still teetering in the relegation zone, the Italian coach insists that his squad must stay focused on the task at hand, but he also wants to shield his players from unnecessary stress.
The north London side entered the weekend’s fixtures still stuck in the bottom three of the Premier League. After a crushing 5‑0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Spurs found themselves two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest. The loss left the team languishing in the danger zone and heightened the urgency of every remaining match.
Earlier in the week, De Zerbi’s men managed to scrape a point at home against Brighton & Hove Albion, a game in which they led twice before settling for a draw. Although that result broke a winless streak under the new manager, it did not provide the three points the club desperately needs. With only five games left in the season, the pressure is mounting, and De Zerbi reminded his players that they cannot lose sight of the league table.
"I don’t want to put pressure on the lads, but we have to be aware of where we are," De Zerbi said in a post‑match press conference. "We cannot forget the standings; we know we have to win. What we have done so far is simply not enough.
If we can secure a victory at Wolves, the battle is not over, but it will be a massive step forward." He went on to stress that there are still four games remaining after the Wolves fixture, and that Spurs deserve to claim points in each of them. "Brighton are one of the best teams in the league, and after Chelsea everyone understood the quality we were up against. We played well but were unlucky. It’s not an easy match," he added, referring to the difficulty of facing a side that has already been relegated.
The Wolves encounter is expected to be a tough test. De Zerbi noted that Wolves have nothing to lose after confirming their drop, which could make them particularly dangerous opponents. "They have nothing to lose, so we must play our football without letting the pressure get to us," he explained. "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 the tactical challenges, Tottenham are coping with a spate of injuries. James Maddison, the England midfielder, traveled with the squad to Wolves but remains unavailable for match action. Maddison, who suffered an ACL injury during pre‑season, has not featured in a Premier League game for over a year.
De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison is still feeling pain, although it is not deemed serious. "He will be with us tomorrow because he is important," the manager said. "Whether he plays or not, his presence is valuable – he is a leader and a positive influence in the dressing room." The injury list also includes Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, alongside captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski.
De Zerbi explained Udogie’s situation, saying the young defender performed well in the first half against Brighton but is unlikely to be fit for the Wolves match. "He is a crucial player for us, but we have to manage his recovery carefully," the coach added.
Regarding Sarr, the manager disclosed that the midfielder suffered shoulder pain and was unable to train with the group this week, ruling him out of the Wolves trip. Vicario, meanwhile, is expected to return to training on Monday after missing recent fixtures. Tottenham also announced that the team will wear shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves game. This decision follows an incident involving defender Kevin Danso, who endured online racist abuse after the Brighton draw.
The club has reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of several accounts. De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the abuse, stating, "I was very annoyed about the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game. I don’t consider one mistake so important; I consider the behaviour on the pitch.
He will be here next season because he is a good guy, and we are lucky to have him." Looking ahead, Spurs must treat the Wolves match as a potential turning point. The club’s recent form—only one point from two games—underscores the need for a win to lift morale and climb out of the relegation zone. De Zerbi’s balanced approach, urging his players to stay aware of the stakes while avoiding excessive pressure, reflects a pragmatic mindset aimed at extracting the best performance from a squad hampered by injuries and confidence issues. If Tottenham can secure three points at Molineux, they will still have four matches to cement their safety, but the momentum gained could be decisive.
The manager’s emphasis on preparation, mental resilience, and the collective responsibility of every player will be critical as the club battles to stay in the Premier League. Fans can watch the highlights of the Wolves‑Tottenham encounter on the Sky Sports app starting at 5.15 pm on Saturday, and the club continues to encourage supporters to engage with the anti‑racism campaign, reinforcing its commitment to a respectful and inclusive environment both on and off the pitch.