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At the time Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were evaluated. This was an thorough process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally chose Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession rendered him the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity arrived when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both in high-profile roles. Theirs is not currently a established rivalry, but they had some hard-fought matches 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 decent games, made more interesting by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more inclined to be direct, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to deploy an range of clinical set-piece plays, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their strongest performances have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were outstanding with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest Spurs might sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a tricky game to call. 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. Yet, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they are defeated 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 ignored.

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

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is banned for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is needed from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Data showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The threat is falling into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their finest performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a strength. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a switch to a five-man defense possible? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily align with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a significant creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the result may validate the means. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach ends a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would ignite Frank’s tenure. How he would relish to win this battle with Maresca.