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

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession made him the best fit for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca face each other, both holding high-profile roles. Theirs is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they experienced some tight matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more intriguing by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to deploy an variety of effective set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not inherently a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their best displays have come in games where they have relinquished the possession. They were superb with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs should sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The numbers 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 tricky game to predict. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a shortage of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and toils against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

However, there is room for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success 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 effective against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers revealing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy 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, emphasizing a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The danger is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth remembering 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 exciting when they have room to attack.

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a change to a five-man defense likely? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily match Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a significant creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the result may justify the means. Spurs fans will not object if a defensive approach breaks a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this contest with Maresca.