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When Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were evaluated. It was an extensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding major roles. Theirs is not currently a established rivalry, but they experienced some tight duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created 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 coaches. Frank is more of a practical manager, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for chances to execute an array of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not naturally a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession standings, 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 outstanding with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest Spurs might sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ return 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 hard game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. 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 disrupted pre-season, caused by 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 ludicrous sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal from the dugout 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 incisive against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers indicating that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy is being used against them and turned on them.

This is not a new 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 quest for control is taken to extremes. The threat is falling into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s remark 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 delivered their finest performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a strength. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank grant them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more cautious. Is a shift to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have improved at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

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