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When Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were considered. This was an comprehensive process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they finally opted for Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis 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 opportunity. Overlooked by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying prestigious roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they had some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the better chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more intriguing by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is considered a practical manager, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to execute an range of clinical set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes 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 naturally a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their best performances have come in games where they have relinquished the control. They were excellent with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The statistics are concerning. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a hard game to predict. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The truth is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

However, there is potential for development, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success 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 angry with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Disappointment 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 switch to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Data indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season suggests that their core identity is being used against them and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, highlighting a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The threat is falling into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

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

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly 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 improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a considerable creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the method. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach breaks a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Success would ignite Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this duel with Maresca.