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

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and priority on possession made him the most suitable for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding major roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some close duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure 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 decent games, made more intriguing by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more willing to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to deploy an variety of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he values control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best showings have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were outstanding with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances indicate Spurs should 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 numbers are disappointing. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a hard game to call. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Yet, there is potential for development, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s banishment from the dugout during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against defensive teams. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Irritation built 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 change to a five-man defense confused 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 peak this season suggests that their key approach 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, emphasizing a vulnerability when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The threat is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their best performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a advantage. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them space? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be smarter. 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 throwing 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 match Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in open play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the ends may validate the method. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach ends a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this battle with Maresca.