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When Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were evaluated. It was an comprehensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally opted for Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and priority on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his next chance. Overlooked by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham brought in the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca face each other, both holding high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they had some hard-fought duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the tacticians. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to deploy an range of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not naturally a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their best showings have come in games where they have relinquished the initiative. They were superb with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results indicate Spurs should sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their past 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 during that period.

This is a difficult game to call. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the quarter-finals 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 onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

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

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more effective against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more steadiness is needed from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Statistics revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season indicates that their key approach is being used against them and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to the limit. The danger is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

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

Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more strategic. Is a shift to a five-man defense possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking 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 significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the ends may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.