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

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and emphasis on possession positioned him as the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s squad of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying prestigious roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more intriguing by the divergent approaches between the managers. Frank is more of a practical manager, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to execute an variety of deadly set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season 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 notable that their best performances have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were outstanding with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their past seven home league games. The figures are disappointing. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home outings 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 the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a absence of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more effective against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Statistics indicating that it is one win 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 used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, emphasizing a vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The risk is falling into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their most impressive performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a positive attribute. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be smarter. Is a change to a five-man defense possible? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in open play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the ends may justify the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a defensive approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would energize Frank’s tenure. How he would cherish to win this duel with Maresca.