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

The opinion was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying prestigious roles. Theirs is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some hard-fought encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the more clear-cut chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is considered a practical manager, more willing to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for chances to execute an array of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca leans towards ideological rigidity. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their best showings have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were outstanding 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 dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results suggest Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a tricky game to call. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and struggles against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is context to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

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

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is banned for the visit to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young wide players.

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 adjustment to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season indicates that their core identity 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 most possession last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The risk is drifting into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the anxiety also comes to mind.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their most impressive performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a strength. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a shift to a five-man defense possible? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily match Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a significant creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach ends a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.