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At the time Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were in contention. This was an thorough process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they ultimately opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and priority on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Overlooked by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying major roles. Their relationship is not currently a established rivalry, but they experienced some close duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat 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 divergent approaches between the managers. Frank is more of a practical manager, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to deploy an array of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca leans towards ideological rigidity. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he values dominance 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 inherently a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their strongest showings have come in games where they have relinquished the possession. They were excellent with a defensive setup 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 indicate Spurs should sit back when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The figures are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to call. Spurs are five points off first place and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The reality is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

However, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success 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 furious with Delap, who is banned for the visit to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more incisive against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Irritation mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss 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 baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being used against them and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, underscoring a vulnerability when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The threat is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the worry also comes to mind.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a strength. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be smarter. Is a change 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 gotten better at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily match Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a significant creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

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