Everyone wants Tottenham relegated and we must use it as fuel, says Roberto De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi has sent a message to his players about how they should react to seeing every team and neutral wanting Tottenham to get relegated.
The prospect of the Spurs going down for the first time in nearly 50 years has understandably captivated the media’s attention this season.
At times, for Tottenham fans, it has appeared like everybody wants to see, with several pundits having predicted the Lilywhites’ demise several weeks ago.
Some Spurs fans have felt that even officials want to see them down, given the decisions that have gone against their side over recent weeks.
Roberto De Zerbi is taking motivation from everyone rooting against Tottenham
Despite the widespread desire to relegate the North London club, they are now within touching distance of securing their place in the Premier League.
De Zerbi is not surprised that so many people are rooting against his side, and he insists that it should be a source of motivation for his players.
When asked what he thinks of everyone wanting to see Tottenham go down, the 46-year-old told Football.London: “I am Italian and in Italy, it’s the same. For the biggest teams, it’s the same. We have to accept the pressure.
“We have to enjoy this pressure. We have to find new motivation from this pressure. I think it’s a good thing for us. If everyone wants Tottenham relegated, it’s a big motivation for me, and I hope for my players as well.”
De Zerbi is imagining celebrating survival at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea fans would like nothing more than to see their side hand Tottenham a defining blow in their quest to stay up, given the rivalry between the sides.
However, De Zerbi suggested that the rivalry will also serve as extra motivation for Spurs, who now have an opportunity to seal their top-flight status at Stamford Bridge.
When asked about the Blues being motivated to send Tottenham down, the Italian responded: “We have to accept that football is nice because of the rivalry. It’s good to imagine ourselves celebrating the win in their stadium.
“It’s the reason football is like this, no? It’s a motivation, it’s a challenge. If a challenge is tougher, it’s better for us to find new motivation and to be focused on staying together from the beginning to the end of the game.”
