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

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession made him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his moment arrived when Tottenham hired the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying prestigious roles. Theirs is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some tight duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the better chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more fascinating by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more inclined to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to execute an range of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s 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 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 most impressive displays have come in games where they have surrendered the possession. They were superb with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances indicate Spurs ought to sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a hard game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a absence of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

However, there is room 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 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 pondering how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more reliability is required from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being used against them and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, highlighting a weakness when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The risk is drifting into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their most impressive performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a advantage. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be smarter. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a considerable creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the approach. Spurs fans will not complain if a cautious approach halts a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would ignite Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this contest with Maresca.