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

The opinion was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession made him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying prestigious roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some hard-fought encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more likely to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for chances to unveil an range of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not naturally a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive displays have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were outstanding with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results indicate Spurs might sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a hard game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached 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 onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could slip 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 ignored.

Still, there is room for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal 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 effective against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Irritation mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Numbers revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season implies that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, highlighting a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The danger is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their best performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a advantage. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a switch to a back five possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in from open situations. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the result may validate the means. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach halts a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Success would energize Frank’s time in charge. How he would love to win this battle with Maresca.