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

The belief was that Maresca’s tactical system and emphasis on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

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

Those were two engaging games, made more intriguing by the tactical differences between the managers. Frank is considered a practical manager, more willing to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to unveil an array of effective set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed 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 adopt a defensive approach when they face 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 read. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, 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, lack of discipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

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

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is banned for the visit to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more steadiness is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Statistics indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season indicates that their core identity is being weaponised and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The danger is falling into unproductive possession, 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 put in their best performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a strength. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more cautious. Is a shift to a five-man defense possible? Chelsea have conceded 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 allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the result may validate the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach ends a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this battle with Maresca.