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When Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were in contention. It was an comprehensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally chose Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession rendered him the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment arrived when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both in major roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some hard-fought matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the better 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 pragmatist, more willing to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to unveil 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% so far this campaign is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest showings have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were outstanding 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 results indicate Spurs should sit back when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The numbers are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to predict. 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. However, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a absence of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could fall 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 going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

Yet, there is room for progress, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win 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 furious with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation grew 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 five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season suggests that their core identity is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, underscoring a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The threat is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their most impressive performance under the Italian and decisively beat 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 allow them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a change 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 improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative responsibility 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 erratic.

But this is one game where the ends may justify the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this duel with Maresca.