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When Chelsea were searching for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were in contention. It was an comprehensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his opportunity arrived when Tottenham brought in the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a established rivalry, but they shared some hard-fought duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the better chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more fascinating by the tactical differences between the tacticians. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more likely to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for chances to deploy an variety of deadly set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards dogmatism. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not inherently a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest showings have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were superb with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances point to Spurs should sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and toils against low blocks.

The reality is that both managers are doing fine. 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 taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

However, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal 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 incisive against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more consistency is needed from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Irritation mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy is being weaponised and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, emphasizing a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The threat is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also comes to mind.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their best performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a strength. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a switch to a back five possible? 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 offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the ends may justify the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach halts a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this battle with Maresca.