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When Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were evaluated. It was an extensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both holding high-profile roles. Their relationship is not currently a established rivalry, but they had some close encounters 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 interesting by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more likely to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to deploy an range of clinical set-piece plays, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he values control 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 defensive 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 surrendered the initiative. They were excellent with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest Spurs should sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their last seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to call. 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. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a shortage of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Data showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being weaponised 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 extremes. The threat is drifting into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also is relevant.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their best performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are exciting when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be smarter. Is a switch to a back five likely? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in from open situations. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the means. Spurs fans will not object if a defensive approach halts a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this battle with Maresca.