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When Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were considered. It was an extensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession positioned him as the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s squad of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next chance. Overlooked by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham hired the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both holding major roles. Their relationship is not currently a established rivalry, but they experienced some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the more clear-cut chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more intriguing by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to deploy an array of effective set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not inherently a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive displays have come in games where they have surrendered the initiative. They were excellent 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 ought to sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The numbers are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a difficult game to call. Spurs are five points off first place and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a absence 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 managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context 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.

Yet, there is scope for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 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 banishment from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is banned for the visit to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy 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 highest possession stats last season, emphasizing a flaw when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The risk is drifting into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

Maresca contests this view, 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. Variety is a strength. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them space? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a heavy creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a pragmatic approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Victory would energize Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.