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At the time Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were evaluated. It was an extensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and emphasis on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham hired the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both in high-profile roles. Theirs is not yet a established rivalry, but they had some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to execute an range of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca leans towards dogmatism. 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 instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were superb with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results point to Spurs might play on the counter when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The figures are concerning. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a tricky game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A disrupted pre-season, due to the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

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

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more reliability is needed from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Frustration built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak 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, underscoring a flaw when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The risk is drifting into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their finest performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a strength. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are pulsating when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be smarter. Is a change to a five-man defense likely? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

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

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