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When Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were in contention. This was an thorough process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually opted for Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and priority on possession made him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to bide his time for his big break. Not chosen by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both in major roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they shared some hard-fought duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more intriguing by the contrasting styles between the tacticians. Frank is considered a practical manager, more inclined to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to execute an array of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best performances have come in games where they have relinquished the control. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The numbers are disappointing. 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 timeframe.

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off the summit 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 skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a lack of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

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

However, there is room for development, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal from the dugout during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry 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 steadiness 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 season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five baffled 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 peak this season implies that their key approach is being weaponised and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new 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 drive for control is taken to the limit. The danger is drifting into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

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

Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more strategic. Is a switch to a back five possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily align with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a pragmatic approach ends a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s time in charge. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.