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When Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were evaluated. This was an extensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they finally selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and emphasis on possession made him the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment arrived when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca face each other, both holding high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they experienced some hard-fought matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss 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 fascinating by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is considered a practical manager, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to unveil an range of effective set-piece plays, whereas Maresca leans towards dogmatism. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; 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 instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive displays have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were superb with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The statistics are concerning. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a tricky game to call. 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 doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Yet, there is scope for progress, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success 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 furious with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is needed from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Disappointment grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Data indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season suggests that their core identity is being weaponised and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, emphasizing a weakness when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to the limit. The danger is drifting 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 disagrees, 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 exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them space? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a switch 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 gotten better at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a considerable creative burden 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 ends may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach ends a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this battle with Maresca.