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When Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were evaluated. This was an extensive process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they finally selected Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession rendered him the most suitable for Chelsea’s squad of technicians. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both holding major roles. Their relationship is not currently a established rivalry, but they had some hard-fought duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is more of a practical manager, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to deploy an array of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca veers towards dogmatism. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is topped 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 table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were superb with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest Spurs should sit back when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The figures are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a hard game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. 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 been costly. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more steadiness is necessary from Chelsea’s young wingers.

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 switch to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. 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 used against them 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 highest possession stats last season, highlighting a vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The risk is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also comes to mind.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their best performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a strength. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are exciting when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a switch to a back five possible? 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 gotten better 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, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the means. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.