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When Chelsea were searching for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were evaluated. It was an comprehensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they eventually opted for Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s squad of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to wait for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment arrived when Tottenham appointed the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying major roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the better chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the tacticians. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more likely to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to execute an array of effective set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards dogmatism. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach 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 showings have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were superb 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 performances suggest Spurs might sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The figures are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a tricky game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical 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 difficulties against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Still, there is scope for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal from the touchline during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

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

This is not a new issue. It was no wins 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 unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their best performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a strength. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more strategic. Is a change to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted 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 erratic.

But this is one game where the ends may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Success would ignite Frank’s reign. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.