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When Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were evaluated. This was an extensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally chose Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his big break. Not chosen by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his opportunity arrived when Tottenham brought in the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both in high-profile roles. Theirs is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they had some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the more clear-cut chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

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

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach 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 displays have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

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

This is a hard game to call. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a absence of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

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

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is banned for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also thinking about 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 maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers 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 core identity is being exploited and used to their disadvantage.

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 flaw when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The risk is falling into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

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

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have improved at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily align with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a significant creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the ends may excuse the method. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach ends a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this battle with Maresca.