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

The opinion was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s team of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca face each other, both holding high-profile roles. Theirs is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they shared some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more likely to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to unveil an array of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola philosophy; 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 mixes it up more. Spurs are not naturally a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best performances have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest Spurs should sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The figures are disappointing. 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 timeframe.

This is a hard game to call. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated 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 toils against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Yet, there is scope for development, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s banishment from the touchline during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more consistency is required from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being used against them 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 vulnerability when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The danger is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also is relevant.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their finest performance under the Italian and thrashed 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 opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a shift to a back five possible? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in general play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the approach. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach ends a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.