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When Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were in contention. It was an comprehensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham appointed the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying high-profile roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they had some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more interesting by the tactical differences between the tacticians. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to deploy an variety of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not naturally a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best displays have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were excellent with a five-man defense 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 point to Spurs should adopt a defensive approach when they welcome 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 last 18 home fixtures is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and struggles against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A disrupted pre-season, due to the club competing deep 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 rash sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s banishment from the touchline during the win over Liverpool.

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

Irritation grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Statistics indicating that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season indicates that their core identity is being used against them and used to their disadvantage.

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

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their most impressive performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a positive attribute. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank allow them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a shift 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 take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

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

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the method. Spurs fans will not mind if a cautious approach breaks a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s reign. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.