Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has challenged his players to use the hostility surrounding the club as motivation as Spurs enter the defining stage of their fight for Premier League survival.
With only two league fixtures remaining, Tottenham remain locked in a tense battle near the bottom of the table and know they are still within touching distance of securing safety. Ahead of a critical meeting with Chelsea, De Zerbi has attempted to turn external pressure into internal fuel.
The Italian believes that the desire among rival supporters to see Tottenham relegated should strengthen rather than weaken the mentality within the squad.
Roberto De Zerbi embraces pressure ahead of Chelsea test
Speaking before the trip to Stamford Bridge, De Zerbi insisted that Tottenham should channel rivalry and outside criticism into motivation.
“If everyone wants Tottenham relegated, it’s a big motivation for me and I hope for my players as well. We have to accept that football is nice because of the rivalry.” — Roberto De Zerbi
The Tottenham manager also stressed that tougher situations can sometimes produce stronger responses from players and described pride as a major factor in the club’s fight for survival.
“The pride is amazing motivation. If everyone wants Tottenham relegated, I think for one Tottenham player, one Tottenham fan, all the people who work inside Tottenham, it has to be the biggest motivation.” — Roberto De Zerbi
Spurs edging towards safety despite pressure
Tottenham enter the final two matches sitting narrowly above the relegation zone and still controlling their own destiny.
Only one point from their remaining matches against Chelsea and Everton would mathematically secure survival, although De Zerbi made clear he does not want his players approaching games cautiously.
Recent weeks have shown signs of progress under the Italian, particularly from a defensive perspective.
| Tottenham under De Zerbi | Current trend |
|---|---|
| Matches in charge | 5 |
| First-half goals conceded | 1 |
| Points needed for safety | 1+ |
Source: season reporting data – May 2026
Having followed Tottenham’s recent performances, the most obvious change has been greater structure without possession. The side have looked more compact and organised, particularly during the opening periods of matches.
However, survival battles often change quickly and much will still depend on how Spurs handle pressure in decisive moments.
Stamford Bridge remains a major obstacle
Tottenham's immediate challenge comes against a ground that has historically provided few positive memories.
Spurs have struggled repeatedly at Stamford Bridge and De Zerbi acknowledged the difficulty of the task while insisting his side cannot enter the match aiming only for a draw.
The manager made clear that his approach remains focused on winning rather than protecting what Tottenham already have.
Key Points
- Roberto De Zerbi wants Tottenham to use rivalry as motivation
- Spurs sit narrowly above the relegation zone
- Tottenham need one point to guarantee survival
- Chelsea are next up at Stamford Bridge
- De Zerbi insists his side will not play for a draw
What's next?
Tottenham's trip to Chelsea now becomes one of the defining matches of their season. A positive result would remove uncertainty and secure Premier League football for next season before the final round of fixtures.
If Spurs fail to collect points at Stamford Bridge, attention would then turn to a final-day encounter with Everton and a potentially dramatic conclusion to the campaign.
Can Tottenham complete the job early, or is their survival battle heading towards one final twist?
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