Roberto De Zerbi insisted Tottenham Hotspur are still fighting to avoid relegation.
This is as he urged the players and supporters to ignore “negative” narratives surrounding the club’s position, SkySports reported on Friday
Spurs remain two points from safety despite securing their first Premier League win of 2026 last weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Their situation has been complicated by injuries to Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke ahead of Sunday’s trip to face Aston Villa.
Speaking before the match, De Zerbi rejected suggestions that relegation is inevitable.
“I heard ‘it is impossible (to stay up)’. We are crying, everyone saying ‘we are relegated’. Not yet,” he said.
Tottenham could fall further behind rivals depending on results elsewhere, with West Ham United also in the battle to avoid the drop.
De Zerbi acknowledged the team’s recent struggles but said internal belief would be key in the final stages of the season.
“It is a tough and difficult moment. But the losers cry, the losers think negative. I don’t want people close to me to be crying or think in a different way from me,” he said.
He also called on the squad to block out negative thinking linked to injuries and recent form.
“This voice produces negative thoughts… I think these are all negative things and it’s rubbish because I want to keep my focus on ourselves and the quality of my players,” he said.
Despite the absence of Simons and Solanke, De Zerbi pointed to alternatives within the squad, including Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel and Richarlison.
He added that facing one of the league’s in-form sides would be a challenge but not beyond his team.
“We go to play against one of the best teams at the moment… but if Tottenham win at Villa Park it is not a miracle,” De Zerbi said.
Tosin Oyediran is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of professional experience in reporting and storytelling. He is known for conducting incisive interviews and producing compelling human-angle stories that bring clarity and depth to the news. Tosin covers a broad range of beats including politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment, with a strong focus on people-centred reporting. His work reflects firsthand newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to accurate, engaging, and trustworthy journalism.
