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When Chelsea were searching for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were considered. It was an comprehensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually chose Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and priority on possession positioned him as the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s squad of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Not chosen by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham hired the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca face each other, both holding prestigious roles. Their relationship is not yet a established rivalry, but they shared some tight duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the better chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more intriguing by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to deploy an variety of effective set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards dogmatism. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; 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 varies his approach more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their best showings have come in games where they have surrendered 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 experiences point to Spurs should sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The numbers are disappointing. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a hard game to call. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a shortage of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and struggles against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

However, there is scope for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win 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 displeased with Delap, who is banned for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more steadiness is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Irritation mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Numbers indicating 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 used against them and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, highlighting a vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The threat is drifting into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the worry also is relevant.

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

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

Being so straightforward does not necessarily match Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a considerable creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach ends a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would cherish to win this duel with Maresca.