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When Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were in contention. This was an extensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they finally selected Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession made him the best fit for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next opportunity. Overlooked by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham brought in the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both in major roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they shared some close duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is more of a practical manager, more likely to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to unveil an variety of deadly set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their strongest performances have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were superb with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs ought to sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The figures are concerning. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home matches is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack 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 situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

Still, there is room for development, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal from the touchline during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is banned for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season indicates that their key approach is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, emphasizing a vulnerability when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The danger is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their most impressive performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them opportunity? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be smarter. Is a change to a back five possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily align with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach ends a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this contest with Maresca.