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

The belief was that Maresca’s tactical system and priority on possession rendered him the best fit for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying high-profile roles. Theirs is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they had some hard-fought duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more intriguing by the divergent approaches between the managers. Frank is considered a practical manager, more likely to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to execute an range of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not naturally a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their strongest performances have come in games where they have relinquished the control. They were superb with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results point to Spurs should sit back when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home matches is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a tricky game to read. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a absence of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

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

Yet, there is room for improvement, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal 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 pondering how to make his team more effective against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more reliability is required from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Statistics revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season implies that their core identity 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, emphasizing a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The risk is drifting into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their finest performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a change to a five-man defense possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching 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’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the approach. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach ends a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this battle with Maresca.