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At the time Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were considered. It was an extensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to bide his time for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both in high-profile roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they experienced some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more interesting by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is more of a practical manager, more inclined to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to unveil an range of effective set-piece plays, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; 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 varies his approach more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were superb with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results point to Spurs ought to sit back when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to call. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain doubtful 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 inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

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

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more steadiness is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five confused 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 peak this season suggests that their key approach is being used against them and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a vulnerability when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The danger is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also comes to mind.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their finest 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 exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a shift to a five-man defense possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily match Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in open play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

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 winless streak against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.