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

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession rendered him the best fit for Chelsea’s squad of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next opportunity. Passed over by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham appointed the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both in major roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some tight matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the managers. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to execute an range of effective set-piece plays, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest performances have come in games where they have surrendered the possession. They were outstanding with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs should adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their last seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a difficult game to call. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain unconvinced 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 complain about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

However, there is potential for progress, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s banishment from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also considering 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 attacking midfielders.

Disappointment grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Statistics indicating that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season indicates that their core identity is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, highlighting a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The threat is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

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

Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be smarter. Is a change to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in open play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the ends may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach ends a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Victory would energize Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.