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When Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were considered. This was an extensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually opted for Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and emphasis on possession made him the most suitable for Chelsea’s squad of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

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

Those were two engaging games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is more of a practical manager, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to unveil an range of effective set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he values control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not inherently a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest showings have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were outstanding with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances point to Spurs should play on the counter when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The numbers are concerning. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

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

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is banned for the visit to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more reliability is needed from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Numbers showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season implies that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited 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 highest possession stats last season, emphasizing a weakness when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to the limit. The risk is drifting into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the worry also is relevant.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their best performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a positive attribute. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a switch to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily align with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in from open situations. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the ends may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach ends a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would cherish to win this battle with Maresca.