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At the time Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were considered. This was an extensive process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they finally chose Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession made him the best fit for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham brought in the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both in high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they shared some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the better chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more fascinating by the tactical differences between the tacticians. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more willing to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to execute an variety of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards dogmatism. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes dominance of the ball.

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

Those performances point to Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their last seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a hard game to read. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a absence of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

However, there is scope for progress, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal from the dugout during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is required from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Disappointment grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Statistics showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season implies that their key approach is being weaponised and turned on them.

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 weakness when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The risk is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their best performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a switch to a back five likely? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

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

But this is one game where the result may justify the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a cautious approach breaks a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this battle with Maresca.