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When Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were in contention. This was an thorough process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and priority on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s squad of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break arrived when Tottenham appointed the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding high-profile roles. Theirs is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they had some tight encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the better chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the tacticians. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to unveil an array of effective set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he prizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics 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 displays have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were outstanding with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results point to Spurs should sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home matches is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to predict. 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. However, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and struggles against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

Yet, there is scope for improvement, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal 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 thinking about 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.

Frustration built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data indicating 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 key approach is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, highlighting a weakness when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The threat is falling into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the anxiety also comes to mind.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their best performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a advantage. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. 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 attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily align with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.