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

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his next chance. Overlooked by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying major roles. Theirs is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they experienced some tight matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the better chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more inclined to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to execute an variety of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics 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 most impressive performances have come in games where they have relinquished the control. They were superb with a back five 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 results point to Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures 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 top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled 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 difficulties against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Still, there is potential for development, 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 removal from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is required from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Irritation 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 switch to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Statistics indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season implies that their core identity is being exploited and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, emphasizing a vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The threat is falling into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their best performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a positive attribute. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are pulsating when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them space? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a heavy creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the ends may excuse the approach. 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 cherish to win this duel with Maresca.