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When Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were considered. This was an extensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession made 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 let go of Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham hired the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both in prestigious roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they had some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky 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 engaging games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the tacticians. Frank is considered a practical manager, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to execute an array of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best performances have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were excellent with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results suggest Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to predict. 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. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a absence of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip 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 disrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Yet, there is scope for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s banishment from the touchline during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is required from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Frustration grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Data showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season implies that their key approach is being exploited 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, emphasizing a flaw when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The risk is drifting into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

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

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a switch to a five-man defense likely? 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 gotten better at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in open play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the ends may validate the approach. Spurs fans will not mind if a cautious approach halts a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.