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When Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were evaluated. It was an extensive process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they finally chose Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham brought in the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying major roles. Theirs is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they had some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more intriguing by the divergent approaches between the tacticians. Frank is considered a practical manager, more willing to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to unveil an array of deadly set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were excellent with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results suggest Spurs should sit back when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a tricky 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 skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a lack of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and toils against low blocks.

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

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

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is needed from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited 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 highest possession stats last season, highlighting a vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The risk is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their best performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are exciting when they have room to attack.

Will Frank allow them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be smarter. Is a shift to a back five likely? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing 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 straightforward does not necessarily align with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a considerable creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

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