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When Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were considered. This was an extensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they eventually chose Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession made him the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Passed over by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying major roles. Theirs is not currently a established rivalry, but they had some hard-fought encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 defeat 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 contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to unveil an range of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not naturally a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best performances have come in games where they have surrendered the initiative. They were superb with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances indicate Spurs should adopt a defensive approach when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The numbers are concerning. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a shortage of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Yet, there is potential for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash red card 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 angry with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Data revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their key approach is being weaponised and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The danger is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth remembering 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. Adaptability is a advantage. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more strategic. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the ends may validate the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach ends a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s reign. How he would relish to win this battle with Maresca.