De Zerbi told he must drop ineffective 3/10 Tottenham star who has started every game under the Italian, he is dreadful

Tottenham Hotspur secured a vital but far from convincing 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, with João Palhinha’s late strike ultimately sparing them further frustration in what was a tense afternoon. Despite facing a side already relegated, Spurs made hard work of the contest and were forced to rely on a moment of brilliance at the back, as goalkeeper Antonín Kinský produced a stunning save to preserve the narrow lead and seal all three points.

The result offers a glimmer of hope for Tottenham Hotspur, marking their first league win of 2026, but they remain stuck in the relegation zone and know performances must improve quickly if they are to survive. Manager Roberto De Zerbi will likely welcome the points, yet he will have serious concerns about his team’s attacking output.

In particular, Randal Kolo Muani endured another disappointing outing. The forward looked short of confidence and creativity, struggling to make any meaningful impact in the final third. His delivery was poor, with both of his attempted crosses failing to trouble the Wolves defence, and although he showed some fight in duels, his overall contribution was minimal. A quiet first-half display ultimately saw him withdrawn at the break after offering little attacking threat.

His replacement, Mathys Tel, immediately brought more urgency and intent to Spurs’ forward play. While not flawless, Tel’s willingness to run at defenders and inject energy into the attack highlighted the stark contrast between the two players. It is that directness and hunger that could now put him in contention for a starting role in the crucial games ahead.

Kolo Muani’s struggles are becoming a growing concern. Having started all three matches under De Zerbi, he has yet to register a goal or assist, raising serious questions about his place in the lineup during such a critical stage of the season. With only a handful of games remaining, Tottenham cannot afford passengers in attack, especially when every point could determine their Premier League fate.

Looking beyond the current campaign, Spurs may already be considering long-term solutions. The inconsistency of both Kolo Muani and Richarlison suggests that reinforcements will be necessary. However, the market for elite young strikers is limited, which means the club could be forced into a calculated gamble on emerging talent.

Names such as Lucas Stassin of Saint-Étienne and Gonzalo García have been mentioned as potential prospects. Both are viewed as raw but exciting forwards who could flourish under De Zerbi’s progressive system and develop into key figures at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

For now, though, Tottenham’s focus must remain firmly on survival. The win over Wolves may not have been pretty, but it could yet prove to be a turning point—provided De Zerbi finds the right attacking formula before it is too late.