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At the time Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were in contention. This was an thorough process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately chose Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession made him the best fit for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both in major roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some tight matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is considered a practical manager, more willing to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to deploy an array of effective set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession 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 instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have surrendered the possession. They were superb with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences indicate Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their past seven home league games. The figures are concerning. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a shortage of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and toils against defensive setups.

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

Still, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous sending off 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 fixture to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more consistency is needed from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Frustration built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Numbers revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season implies that their key approach 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 most possession last season, highlighting a vulnerability when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The risk is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a change to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily align with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the approach. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach ends a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s reign. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.