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At the time Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were considered. This was an comprehensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they finally selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and priority on possession made him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both holding major roles. Theirs is not yet a established rivalry, but they had some hard-fought matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the tacticians. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more inclined to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to unveil an range of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he prizes control of the ball.

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

Those experiences point to Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their past seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Yet, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy is being used against them and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, highlighting a vulnerability when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to the limit. The danger is falling into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the worry also comes to mind.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their most impressive performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a advantage. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be smarter. Is a switch to a five-man defense possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ traditions. 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 predictable in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the ends may validate the means. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach ends a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. A win would boost Frank’s reign. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.