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At the time Chelsea were searching for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were in contention. It was an comprehensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they eventually chose Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s positional game and emphasis on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment arrived when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding prestigious roles. Theirs is not yet a established rivalry, but they experienced some hard-fought duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior 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 inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to deploy an array of effective set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not inherently a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive displays have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were outstanding with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest 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 disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to call. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The reality is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is context to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more incisive against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Frustration mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Statistics revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their core identity is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, emphasizing a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The risk is falling into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the worry also applies here.

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

Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a change to a back five possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching 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 direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a considerable creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the result may justify the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a pragmatic approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s tenure. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.