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When Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were evaluated. It was an thorough process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham brought in the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca face each other, both holding high-profile roles. Theirs is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they had some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the better chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more fascinating by the divergent approaches between the managers. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more likely to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to execute an range of clinical set-piece plays, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession 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 ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have surrendered the initiative. They were outstanding with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to call. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and struggles against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

However, there is room for development, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more effective against defensive teams. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their core identity is being weaponised and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, emphasizing a vulnerability when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The danger is drifting into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the worry also applies here.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their best performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are exciting when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a shift to a back five likely? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking 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 long-ball oriented does not necessarily match Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a considerable creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the result may excuse the approach. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. A win would boost Frank’s reign. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.