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When Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were evaluated. It was an extensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession made him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Not chosen 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.

At present, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying major roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they experienced 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 drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the tacticians. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more willing to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to deploy an array of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he values control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not inherently a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest displays have come in games where they have relinquished the control. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances indicate Spurs should play on the counter when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The numbers are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a hard game to call. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and toils against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics revealing 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 fundamental philosophy is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The risk is falling into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the fear also comes to mind.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their most impressive performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a advantage. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be smarter. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are conceding 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 load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the result may validate the method. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.