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When Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were in contention. This was an comprehensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually opted for Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession made him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his opportunity arrived when Tottenham brought in the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding prestigious roles. Theirs is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they had some close duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 loss 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 divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more inclined to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to unveil an variety of effective set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of 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 adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their strongest performances have come in games where they have relinquished the possession. They were superb with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results suggest Spurs ought to play on the counter when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their past seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off first place and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners 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 expressed frustration about a absence of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club competing deep 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 unnecessary dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal from the dugout during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more reliability is required from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Frustration mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Data showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season suggests that their core identity is being weaponised and turned on them.

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, highlighting a flaw when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The threat is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also comes to mind.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their best performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability 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 more cautious. Is a shift to a back five likely? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in general play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach breaks a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.