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When Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were considered. It was an comprehensive process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession made him the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Not chosen by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying major roles. Theirs is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they had some hard-fought encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the more clear-cut chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more intriguing by the tactical differences between the managers. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more likely to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to unveil an range of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he prizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest displays have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were superb with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a absence of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is context to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

Still, there is scope for development, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal from the dugout 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 penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Irritation grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss 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 flummoxed 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 indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being used against them and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a recent 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 quest for control is taken to the limit. The risk is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their finest performance under the Italian and thrashed 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 room to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s gung-ho 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 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 improved at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a heavy creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the result may justify the method. Spurs fans will not object if a pragmatic approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s tenure. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.