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

The belief was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession made him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of talented individuals. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his next chance. Overlooked by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding prestigious roles. Theirs is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they had some close duels 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 tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more intriguing by the divergent approaches between the tacticians. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to execute an array of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are 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 surrendered the control. They were outstanding with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results suggest Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The numbers are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

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

The truth is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop 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, due to the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

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

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

Frustration grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers indicating that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy 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 vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The risk is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also comes to mind.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a advantage. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more strategic. Is a shift to a five-man defense likely? Chelsea have conceded 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 attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily align with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a heavy creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in from open situations. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. A win would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would cherish to win this battle with Maresca.