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At the time Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were evaluated. This was an comprehensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession positioned him as the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Passed over by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they shared some tight duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the better chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is more of a practical manager, more willing to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for chances to unveil an variety of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he emphasizes 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 inherently a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have surrendered the possession. They were excellent with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs ought to play on the counter when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated 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 unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a shortage of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more incisive against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more reliability 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 peak of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers showing 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 weaponised and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, emphasizing a vulnerability when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to the limit. The threat is falling into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their best performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a advantage. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank grant them opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be smarter. Is a change to a back five 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 note that Chelsea have gotten better 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 unavailable, there is a significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in from open situations. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the result may justify the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a cautious approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.