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When Chelsea were searching for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were considered. This was an extensive process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and emphasis on possession made him the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Overlooked by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham brought in the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a established rivalry, but they shared some hard-fought matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the better 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 considered a practical manager, more likely to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to unveil an array of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; 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 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 best displays have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were superb with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results suggest Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The statistics are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the worst 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 first place and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and struggles against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is context to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

Still, there is scope for improvement, 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 such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal from the dugout during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat 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 baffled 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 highest this season implies that their core identity is being used against them and used to their disadvantage.

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, emphasizing a weakness when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The threat is falling into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a strength. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are exciting when they have space 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 certainly be more cautious. Is a shift to a back five possible? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily match Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in general play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s tenure. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.