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At the time Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were considered. This was an extensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually opted for Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and priority on possession rendered him the best fit for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both holding high-profile roles. Theirs is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they experienced some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the better chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more fascinating by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more willing to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to execute an array of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes dominance 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 naturally a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have surrendered the initiative. They were excellent with a defensive setup 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 results point to Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to call. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a absence of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Still, there is room for progress, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory 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 angry with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against defensive teams. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Data indicating that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy is being weaponised 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, emphasizing a weakness when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The threat is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their finest performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a positive attribute. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a shift to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily match Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the ends may validate the means. Spurs fans will not object if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would energize Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.