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When Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were considered. It was an comprehensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying prestigious roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more fascinating by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to execute an range of effective set-piece plays, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; 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 varies his approach more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their best performances have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were outstanding with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs might sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a lack of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

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

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

Frustration grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Statistics revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum 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 highest possession stats last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The threat is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also comes to mind.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their most impressive performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a positive attribute. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them opportunity? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a switch 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 observe that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily align with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in general play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach halts a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.