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At the time Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were evaluated. It was an thorough process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession made him the most suitable for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Not chosen by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his opportunity arrived when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both in high-profile roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they had some tight duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer 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 divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is more of a practical manager, more inclined to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to deploy an range of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he values control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession 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 inherently a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their most impressive displays have come in games where they have relinquished the initiative. They were superb with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs should play on the counter when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 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 the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to 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 lack of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could fall 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 interrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

However, there is scope for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win 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 displeased with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Irritation built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Numbers showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy is being weaponised 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 weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The danger is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the worry also comes to mind.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their most impressive performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a positive attribute. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are exciting when they have room to attack.

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

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

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