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

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s squad of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Overlooked by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham hired the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both in high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they shared some tight matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more intriguing by the tactical differences between the tacticians. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more willing to be direct, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to execute an variety of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca leans towards dogmatism. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up 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 strongest performances have come in games where they have relinquished the initiative. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs should sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The figures are concerning. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the poorest 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 advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The truth is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have dried up 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 peak of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Data showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season suggests that their core identity is being used against them and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, emphasizing a vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The risk is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also applies here.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their finest performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a strength. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more strategic. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily match Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a considerable creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the result may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach halts a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this contest with Maresca.