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When Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were evaluated. It was an comprehensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately opted for Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both in high-profile roles. Theirs is not currently a established rivalry, but they experienced some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more willing to be direct, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to deploy an variety of effective set-piece routines, whereas Maresca leans towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes control 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 instinctively a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their strongest displays have come in games where they have surrendered the possession. They were superb with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences indicate Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a hard game to predict. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated 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 onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and struggles against low blocks.

The reality is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

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

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more reliability is required from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers indicating that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season implies that their key approach is being weaponised 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, highlighting a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The danger is falling into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their most impressive performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a strength. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank allow them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more strategic. Is a shift to a back five possible? Chelsea have allowed goals 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 offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a heavy creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open 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 breaks a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would love to win this battle with Maresca.