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At the time Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were considered. It was an thorough process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham brought in the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both holding prestigious roles. Their relationship is not yet a established rivalry, but they had some tight encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer 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 competitive games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the tacticians. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to execute an range of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not naturally a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their strongest performances have come in games where they have relinquished the initiative. They were outstanding with a five-man defense 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 performances suggest Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to call. Spurs are five points off first place and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions 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 complained about a shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Still, there is room for development, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory 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 displeased with Delap, who is banned for the fixture 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 consistency is required from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Disappointment grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Data revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited 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 flaw when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to the limit. The risk is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark 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 delivered their most impressive performance under the Italian and decisively beat 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 grant them space? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. 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 observe that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily align with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a heavy creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in open play. Their forwards remain erratic.

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 sequence of defeats against Chelsea. A win would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this contest with Maresca.