Roberto de Zerbi expressed confidence that Tottenham can secure victories in all five of their remaining Premier League matches to decisively steer clear of relegation. He also warned that any dissatisfied players will be sent home from the training facility on Monday.
Spurs allowed a last-minute equalizer, resulting in a 2-2 draw with Brighton on Saturday, which means they still have no league wins in 2026 and remain in the relegation zone.
Pedro Porro opened the scoring for Spurs, but Kaoru Mitoma equalized during first-half stoppage time. Xavi Simons briefly restored Tottenham’s lead with a spectacular curling shot from the edge of the penalty area, just 13 minutes from the end.
However, a dramatic late goal from Georginio Rutter prevented Spurs from achieving their first league victory in 111 days and overshadowed De Zerbi’s debut home match as Tottenham’s head coach.
Despite this setback, the 46-year-old believes that an improved performance shows Spurs have what it takes to escape relegation, even asserting that they can defeat Wolves, Aston Villa, Leeds, Chelsea, and Everton in their upcoming fixtures.
“I have faith in the abilities of the players,” De Zerbi stated. “They displayed a solid performance. I believe we can play better, with more quality and calmness, especially when in possession of the ball.
“Right now, we need that spirit, mentality, and attitude, and this journey is far from over. We have five more matches ahead. It’s a tough situation for all of us, but those five games represent 15 points, and this team is capable of winning five consecutive encounters.
“It might be hard to accept my words at this moment, but if you watch the players and assess their skill level, I believe we can achieve five consecutive wins. I’m not being arrogant—especially not now—but I know we possess the necessary quality to compete and come out victorious.”
– Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham heartbroken by late Brighton equalizer
– Are Tottenham facing relegation from the Premier League? Insights from stats and charts
– Premier League players nearing the end of their contracts: Who might leave your team for free this summer?
Following the match, several Tottenham players appeared disheartened, but De Zerbi remarked: “They need to heed my words. I’m proud of their efforts. They must maintain focus on the upcoming Wolverhampton match and arrive at training with a positive attitude, or they will be sent home immediately.
“I have no time for negativity or sad faces. We are fortunate to work for a prestigious club in a grand stadium, in the Premier League.
“We possess the right attributes to win against Wolverhampton, so we must adopt a positive mindset. I have no patience for those who dwell on negativity.”