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

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession made him the best fit for Chelsea’s squad of skilled players. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Not chosen by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham hired the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both in high-profile roles. Theirs is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they shared some hard-fought duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the managers. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more willing to be direct, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to execute an range of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign 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 rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their best displays have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were excellent with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results point to Spurs might play on the counter when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The statistics are concerning. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and toils against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Yet, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash dismissal 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 banned for the visit to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Frustration mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics showing 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 turned on them.

This is not a new 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 quest for control is taken to extremes. The risk is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also comes to mind.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a advantage. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are exciting when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a shift to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily align with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a considerable creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a cautious approach breaks a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would boost Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this duel with Maresca.