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When Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were in contention. It was an comprehensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately chose Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s roster of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham hired the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca face each other, both in major roles. Theirs is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky 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 engaging games, made more fascinating by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to unveil an array of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is topped 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 standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their strongest showings have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. 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 dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs should 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 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 period.

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical 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, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could slip 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, caused by the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Yet, there is potential for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth 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 suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more steadiness is needed from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration built 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 back five baffled 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 implies that their fundamental philosophy is being weaponised and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, highlighting a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The risk is drifting into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the fear also comes to mind.

Maresca disagrees, 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. Variety is a advantage. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room 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 surely be smarter. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have improved at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily match Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in open play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the means. Spurs fans will not object if a defensive approach ends a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would ignite Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this battle with Maresca.