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When Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were evaluated. This was an extensive process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually chose Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and emphasis on possession rendered him the most suitable for Chelsea’s team of skilled players. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham hired the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying prestigious roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some close duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the tactical differences between the tacticians. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more willing to be direct, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to execute an variety of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he values control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession 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 naturally a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best displays have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs ought to sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The statistics are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a shortage of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and struggles against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

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

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

Irritation mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Data showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season implies that their core identity is being exploited 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, highlighting a vulnerability when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The threat is falling into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a advantage. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them space? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more cautious. Is a change to a back five likely? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily match Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a heavy creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the ends may validate the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.