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

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and priority on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding high-profile roles. Theirs is not yet a established rivalry, but they shared some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the better chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more fascinating by the divergent approaches between the managers. Frank is more of a practical manager, more willing to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to execute an variety of effective set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were superb with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs should sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The statistics are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the lowest 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 summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions 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 complained about a absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Yet, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win 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 displeased with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more consistency is needed from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration 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 adjustment to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season indicates that their core identity 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 highest possession stats last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The risk is falling into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the fear also comes to mind.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their best performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a shift to a five-man defense possible? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

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

But this is one game where the ends may justify the method. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach breaks a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.