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

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and emphasis on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of talented individuals. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his opportunity arrived when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding prestigious roles. Theirs is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some close duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the more clear-cut chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is considered a practical manager, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to execute an range of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive displays have come in games where they have surrendered the possession. They were excellent with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ record 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 read. Spurs are five points off first place and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Yet, there is potential for progress, 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 dismissal from the dugout during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is banned for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense confused 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 peak this season implies that their key approach is being used against them and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, underscoring a weakness when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The risk is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the worry also applies here.

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

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be smarter. 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 conceding too many chances.

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

But this is one game where the result may justify the method. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach breaks a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this contest with Maresca.