De Zerbi demands Spurs silence negativity to avoid Premier League drop in 2026

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi insists Spurs must overcome self-doubt to avoid relegation from the Premier League in 2026.

Spurs in relegation fight Tottenham currently sit in the relegation zone despite securing their first league victory of 2026 against bottom-placed Wolves last weekend. The club now trails 17th-placed West Ham by two points with just four matches remaining. Their upcoming fixtures include fifth-placed Aston Villa, followed by matches against Leeds United, Chelsea, and Everton as they aim to prevent relegation for the first time since 1977. ## De Zerbi targets internal doubt Roberto de Zerbi, appointed as Tottenham’s third manager of the season in March, has called on the club to silence the negative internal voices affecting players, staff, and supporters. He argues that this negativity—rooted in excuses like bad luck, injuries, and poor facilities—is their biggest obstacle. In an impassioned pre-match press conference, he dismissed these claims as baseless, stating that such thinking is detrimental to their fight for survival. ## Manager’s fiery rallying cry De Zerbi made his stance clear at the start of his news conference ahead of the Villa Park clash. He emphasized that the voice telling them they’re doomed must be silenced, insisting that defeat is not yet inevitable. Comparing the situation to a lamentable surrender, he urged the team to battle until the final whistle, stressing that West Ham faces an equally tough schedule. He concluded by declaring his refusal to accept defeatist attitudes among those around him. ## Key injuries cloud Spurs lineup Tottenham’s survival bid has been hampered by a long list of injuries, with several first-team players unavailable. Midfielder Xavi Simons will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his ACL against Wolves, joining a growing injury list that includes striker Dominic Solanke and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Among long-term absentees are Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, and Cristian Romero. ## De Zerbi highlights squad depth Despite the injury crisis, de Zerbi remains focused on the quality within his squad, dismissing talk of miracles in their fight for survival. He pointed to the potential of players like Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel, and Richarlison to step up in Simons’ absence. The manager stressed the need to trust in his players’ abilities and maintain a realistic yet positive approach, emphasizing hard work and confidence as their path forward. ## Maddison’s potential return James Maddison, sidelined since pre-season due to an ACL injury, is nearing a return and could feature in the next three critical games. De Zerbi acknowledged Maddison’s importance, stating that the England playmaker could play a pivotal role as Tottenham push for survival. However, the manager cautioned that Maddison’s fitness and readiness would be carefully assessed before any decision.