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At the time Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were evaluated. It was an comprehensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to bide his time for his big break. Not chosen by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca face each other, both holding prestigious roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they experienced some tight matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the better chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more fascinating by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a practical manager, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to deploy an array of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca leans towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession standings, 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 superb with a five-man defense 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 point to Spurs ought to play on the counter when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their past seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a tricky game to read. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached 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 shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is context to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

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

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being weaponised and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, underscoring a vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The risk is falling into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a advantage. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more cautious. 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 note that Chelsea have improved at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ history. 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 joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in open play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. A win would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would cherish to win this duel with Maresca.