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When Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were evaluated. It was an thorough process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying high-profile roles. Theirs is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some tight duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer 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 decent games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to execute an array of deadly set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes dominance 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 inherently a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were outstanding with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest Spurs ought to play on the counter when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and struggles against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Yet, there is scope for development, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash 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 dugout during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more incisive against defensive teams. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more reliability is required from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their core identity is being used against them and turned on them.

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 weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The threat is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their most impressive performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a positive attribute. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a shift to a back five likely? 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 straightforward does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the result may excuse the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach halts a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Victory would energize Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.