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At the time Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were considered. This was an thorough process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and emphasis on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying prestigious roles. Theirs is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they experienced some tight matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more fascinating by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is more of a practical manager, more willing to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to unveil an variety of clinical set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he prizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their best displays have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were outstanding with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences indicate Spurs ought to play on the counter when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The numbers are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off first place and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The truth is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is context to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

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

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is banned for the visit to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more effective against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more consistency is needed from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Frustration mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited 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 highest possession stats last season, highlighting a flaw when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The threat is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also applies here.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their best performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a advantage. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more cautious. Is a shift to a back five likely? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a considerable creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the ends may excuse the approach. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach ends a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would energize Frank’s reign. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.