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At the time Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were in contention. This was an comprehensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they ultimately opted for Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s tactical system and priority on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his big break. Not chosen by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both holding high-profile roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they had some close duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more fascinating by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to deploy an variety of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best displays have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were outstanding with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances point to Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home matches is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a hard game to read. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a shortage of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall 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, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Yet, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was displeased 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 decreased for João Pedro, and more reliability is needed from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Irritation grew 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 five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season indicates that their key approach is being used against them and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The risk is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their best performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a advantage. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a change to a five-man defense on the cards? 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 attacking 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 responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the approach. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s reign. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.