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When Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were considered. It was an extensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next chance. Overlooked by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham brought in the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both in prestigious roles. Theirs is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some tight encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more intriguing by the contrasting styles between the tacticians. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for chances to unveil an range of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca leans towards ideological rigidity. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics 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 significant that their strongest performances have come in games where they have relinquished the control. They were outstanding 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 dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results point to Spurs should sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The statistics are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to read. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical 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 immaturity, indiscipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

However, there is room for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such 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 visit to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more steadiness is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Statistics indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season suggests that their key approach is being used against them and turned on them.

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, highlighting a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The threat is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their best performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a strength. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank grant them space? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a change to a back five likely? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a considerable creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in open play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the ends may validate the method. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach breaks a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Success would ignite Frank’s tenure. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.