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

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession made him the best fit for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Overlooked by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying high-profile roles. Theirs is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some tight duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the more clear-cut chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more intriguing by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is more of a practical manager, more likely to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to deploy an variety of effective set-piece plays, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not naturally a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest performances have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were outstanding with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results indicate Spurs ought to sit back when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The numbers are awful. 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 period.

This is a tricky game to predict. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

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

Yet, there is scope for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Irritation mounted 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 baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season implies that their core identity is being weaponised 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 vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The risk is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the worry also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their best performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a positive attribute. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank allow them freedom? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a switch to a five-man defense likely? 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 attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily align with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

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