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

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and priority on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both in prestigious roles. Theirs is not currently a established rivalry, but they experienced some hard-fought duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss 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 tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more inclined to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to deploy an array of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their strongest showings have come in games where they have relinquished the initiative. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an outstanding counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results indicate Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The figures 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 during 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 reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a shortage of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and toils against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Still, there is scope for development, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also pondering 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 attacking midfielders.

Irritation built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being weaponised and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The risk is drifting into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also is relevant.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their most impressive performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a advantage. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank allow them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be smarter. Is a change to a back five possible? 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 improved at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented 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, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the method. Spurs fans will not mind if a cautious approach ends a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.