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

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession rendered him the best fit for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Not chosen by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his opportunity arrived when Tottenham appointed the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some hard-fought 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 decent games, made more fascinating by the tactical differences between the managers. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more willing to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to deploy an array of effective set-piece plays, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have relinquished the control. They were superb with a five-man defense 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 experiences indicate Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. 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 timeframe.

This is a tricky game to predict. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament 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 are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Frustration built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season implies that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, highlighting a weakness when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The threat is falling into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also comes to mind.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their finest 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 pulsating when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a change to a back five possible? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing 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 direct does not necessarily align with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a heavy creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in open play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the ends may validate the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a defensive approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.