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When Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were evaluated. It was an comprehensive process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and priority on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding prestigious roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-blown 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 superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more intriguing by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to deploy an array of effective set-piece plays, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their strongest showings have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were excellent with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs should adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home matches is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a hard game to predict. 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. Yet, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and toils against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

Still, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s banishment from the technical area 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 incisive against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Frustration mounted 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 change to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Statistics indicating that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season implies that their key approach is being weaponised 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 vulnerability when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The risk is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their best performance under the Italian and decisively beat 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 space? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a switch to a five-man defense likely? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily match Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a considerable creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not object if a defensive approach halts a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would energize Frank’s reign. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.