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At the time Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were evaluated. This was an comprehensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually chose Enzo Maresca.

The feeling 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 bide his time for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying high-profile roles. Theirs is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they shared some close duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat 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 fascinating by the divergent approaches between the managers. Frank is more of a practical manager, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to unveil an array of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their best showings have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were excellent with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances indicate Spurs might sit back when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their last seven home league games. The figures are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a hard game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a absence of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Still, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s banishment from the touchline during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more steadiness is needed from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Frustration grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season suggests that their key approach is being used against them and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, highlighting a flaw when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The threat is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the fear also comes to mind.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their finest performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a strength. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

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

But this is one game where the result may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach ends a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.