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When Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were considered. This was an extensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally selected Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession rendered him the best fit for Chelsea’s squad of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to bide his time for his big break. Not chosen by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

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

Those were two decent games, made more intriguing by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more willing to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to deploy an array of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is bettered 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 table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results indicate Spurs might play on the counter when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The statistics are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and toils against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A disrupted pre-season, due to the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Statistics showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited 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 most possession last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The risk is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

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

Will Frank grant them space? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more strategic. Is a switch to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have conceded 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 direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a considerable creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not complain if a pragmatic approach ends a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s reign. How he would love to win this contest with Maresca.