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When Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were considered. It was an comprehensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they eventually chose Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession made him the best fit for Chelsea’s team of skilled players. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Passed over by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham hired the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both in major roles. Their relationship is not currently a established rivalry, but they shared some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer 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 decent games, made more intriguing by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for chances to deploy an range of deadly set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca leans towards dogmatism. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he values control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were superb with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to predict. Spurs are five points off first place and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, 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 lament about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is context to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, due to the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

Yet, there is potential for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal 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 steadiness is necessary 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 season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season suggests that their key approach is being exploited and used to their disadvantage.

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, highlighting a vulnerability when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The danger 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 comes to mind.

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

Will Frank allow them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a switch to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a considerable creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the result may justify the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach halts a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s reign. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.