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When Chelsea were searching for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were evaluated. This was an thorough process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession made him the most suitable for Chelsea’s squad of technicians. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca face each other, both holding prestigious roles. Their relationship is not currently a established rivalry, but they shared some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the better chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more willing to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to unveil an range of effective set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards dogmatism. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; 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 adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not inherently a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have relinquished the control. They were superb with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences indicate Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their past seven home league games. The figures are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The truth is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

However, there is scope for development, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal from the dugout during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is banned for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Frustration mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Numbers revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their key approach is being used against them and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The risk is drifting 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 differs in opinion, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their most impressive performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a strength. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are pulsating when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a shift to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have improved at offensive 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, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in from open situations. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the result may validate the method. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach halts a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would cherish to win this duel with Maresca.