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At the time Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were considered. It was an comprehensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they eventually chose Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession positioned him as the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his opportunity arrived when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both in prestigious roles. Theirs is not yet a established rivalry, but they had some close duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer 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 competitive games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more likely to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to deploy an range of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession 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 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 best displays have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were outstanding with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs ought to sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners 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 shortage of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Still, there is room for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 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 removal from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more consistency 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 highest of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Statistics revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season implies that their key approach is being weaponised and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The risk is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their best performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a strength. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more strategic. Is a switch 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 take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a considerable creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the approach. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach halts a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s tenure. How he would cherish to win this duel with Maresca.