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At the time Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were evaluated. This was an comprehensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they finally opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession made him the most suitable for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Overlooked 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 major roles. Theirs is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they had some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the more clear-cut chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the managers. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more inclined to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to deploy an range of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not naturally a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have surrendered the possession. They were superb with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results point to Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, 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 throughout that period.

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions 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 shortage of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The reality 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 indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

However, there is room for development, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory 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 displeased with Delap, who is banned for the visit 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 consistency is needed from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The threat is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the anxiety also comes to mind.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their most impressive performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a advantage. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank allow them freedom? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more cautious. Is a shift to a five-man defense 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 note that Chelsea have improved at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily align with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the means. Spurs fans will not complain if a cautious approach halts a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.