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

The opinion was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession rendered him the best fit for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment arrived when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying prestigious roles. Their relationship is not yet a established rivalry, but they experienced some hard-fought matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the better chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more interesting by the tactical differences between the managers. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to unveil an variety of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is topped 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 standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their best showings have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results point to Spurs ought to play on the counter when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a tricky game to call. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached 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 absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they lose 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, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

However, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory 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 furious with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more effective against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is required from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Statistics showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their key approach is being weaponised and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, highlighting a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The threat is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a advantage. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be smarter. 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 launching balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the approach. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach ends a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. A win would ignite Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.