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At the time Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were in contention. This was an comprehensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they eventually opted for Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and emphasis on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s team of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment arrived when Tottenham hired the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying prestigious roles. Theirs is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they shared some hard-fought matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is more of a practical manager, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for chances to deploy an range of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes 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 seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their best performances have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were outstanding with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs should sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their last seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

However, there is scope for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory 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 displeased with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against defensive teams. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Disappointment mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Numbers showing that it is one win 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 turned on them.

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 vulnerability when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The danger is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. 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 best performance under the Italian and thrashed 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 grant them freedom? Chelsea exploited 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 five-man defense likely? 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 attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily align with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a heavy creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the result may validate the means. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach ends a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.