Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Roberto De Zerbi, was unequivocal on Saturday about how crucial the upcoming clash at Wolves is for a side that is still fighting to avoid the drop. After a 5-0 demolition of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, the Spurs found themselves entrenched in the relegation zone, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham and eight points adrift of 16th‑place Nottingham Forest. The defeat to Sunderland only deepened the anxiety that has been building since the start of the 2026 Premier League campaign.
The Italian coach’s tenure at Tottenham has already been marked by a series of near‑misses. Spurs managed a hard‑earned draw against Brighton at home – a match in which they led twice before eventually settling for a point – but the win column remains stubbornly empty. With only five fixtures left in the season, De Zerbi stressed the importance of keeping the team grounded while also reminding everyone of the harsh reality of the league table. "I don’t want to add extra pressure, but we must be fully aware of where we stand," De Zerbi explained.
"We cannot ignore the standings; we cannot ignore the fact that we need victories. 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 went on to note that there are four games remaining after the Wolves fixture, and that Spurs deserve to win them. "Brighton was one of the strongest sides in the division, and after Chelsea everyone understood the level we were up against.
We played well, but luck wasn’t on our side," he said. "The Wolves game will be tough – they’re already relegated, so they have nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous.
We need to play our football without the weight of too much pressure." De Zerbi described his role as preparing the team as best as possible, then letting the players express themselves on the pitch. "These lads are talented, they have the right qualities, and they can perform without overthinking.
My job is to set them up, then let them play," he added. Injury concerns continue to loom over Tottenham. Midfielder James Maddison, who finally returned to the match‑day squad as a substitute for the Brighton draw, is still not fully fit after suffering an ACL injury during pre‑season.
He has not featured in a Premier League game for a full year. De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison will travel to Wolves, but his participation remains uncertain.
"He felt some pain this week, but it’s not serious. He’ll be with us tomorrow because he’s vital to the group, both on and off the pitch," the manager said.
"If he can play, that would be ideal, but his leadership and positivity are already valuable in the dressing room." The Spurs’ injury list is extensive. Defender Destiny Udogie, midfielder Pape Sarr, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all sidelined, joining captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski among others. De Zerbi gave a quick update on each player: "Udogie had a problem after the first half against Brighton – he played well but I don’t think he’ll be fit for tomorrow. We have Djed Spence and Souza available, and I hope Udogie returns for the Villa Park match.
It’s not a major injury, just a setback." Regarding Sarr, the manager explained, "He felt a shoulder pain this week and didn’t train with the group, so he won’t travel. Vicario is also unavailable at the moment, but I expect him back with us on Monday in good condition.
Antonin Kinský has been performing excellently, and I hope Vicario can rejoin us soon because he’s another key player." Beyond the on‑field matters, Tottenham have taken a stand against racism ahead of the Wolves game. The club announced that the players will wear shirts emblazoned with the message "Spurs against Racism" after Kevin Danso was subjected to online abuse following the Brighton draw. Spurs clarified that they have reported the abusive content to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of the offending accounts.
De Zerbi expressed his frustration, stating, "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game; one mistake doesn’t define him. The behaviour off the pitch is what concerns me.
He will be with us next season – he’s a good guy and we’re lucky to have him." The upcoming match against Wolves will be streamed on the Sky Sports app, with highlights available from 5:15 pm on Saturday. Fans also have a chance to enter the Super 6 competition for a share of a £250,000 prize pool. In summary, De Zerbi’s message to his squad is clear: acknowledge the pressure, but do not be crushed by it; understand the stakes, but play with confidence. With the relegation battle hanging by a thread, every point matters, and a win at Wolves could be the catalyst that propels Tottenham out of the danger zone and back onto a more secure trajectory for the remainder of the season.