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At the time Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were in contention. It was an comprehensive process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they ultimately opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham hired the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca face each other, both in prestigious roles. Their relationship is not yet a established rivalry, but they shared some hard-fought encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more inclined to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to execute an array of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not naturally a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest showings have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The numbers are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a hard game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Still, there is scope for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s banishment from the touchline during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Disappointment mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season implies that their key approach is being used against them and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a vulnerability when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The risk is falling into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their most impressive performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a positive attribute. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank grant them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the result may validate the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a cautious approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would cherish to win this duel with Maresca.