Tottenham Hotspur manager, Roberto De Zerbi has issued a rallying call to his players ahead of Sunday’s season finale against Everton, demanding that they take to the pitch with “blood, character and spirit” as the club fights to avoid what would be their first relegation from the Premier League in 49 years.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Italian coach framed the fixture as nothing short of a cup final, insisting there was a prize at stake far greater than any trophy or financial bonus. A draw against 12th-placed Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will almost certainly be enough to secure survival, with 18th-placed West Ham sitting two points behind Spurs and carrying a significantly inferior goal difference as they host Leeds at the London Stadium in the same round of games.

De Zerbi drew a pointed comparison with Spurs’ Europa League triumph last season under former manager Ange Postecoglou, calling on his players to channel that same competitive intensity for higher stakes. “They played a great final last season and they won a trophy. Maybe there was a bonus. After tomorrow, there is not a trophy or a bonus,” he said. “There is something more important the future and the history of the club. The pride of the players and the dignity of every one of us.” The Italian, appointed to the role in late March as Spurs’ third manager of a turbulent season, has been unwavering in his insistence that keeping the club in the top flight is the only priority.

The build-up to the match has been clouded by controversy surrounding injured captain Cristian Romero, who has flown to Argentina to continue his rehabilitation from a knee injury with the national team’s medical staff ahead of next month’s World Cup, prompting fury from supporters. De Zerbi declined to be drawn into the debate, saying he fully understood the fans’ anger but refused to allow it to become a distraction. “I have no time to lose energy thinking about other things. We have to be focused just on the game,” he said, adding that he had no doubt about Romero’s commitment during his time working under him.

On a more positive note, De Zerbi confirmed that forward Dominic Solanke is available for selection after recovering from a hamstring injury that had kept him sidelined for nearly a month, offering Spurs a timely boost in attack. The return of Solanke, combined with the manager’s clear-eyed focus on the task at hand, will give Spurs supporters cautious reason for optimism as their club prepares for one of the most consequential ninety minutes in their recent history.