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

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and emphasis on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying major roles. Theirs is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they experienced some hard-fought encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more fascinating by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a practical manager, more inclined to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to execute an range of deadly set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he values control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not naturally a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a hard game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to 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 shortage of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and toils against defensive setups.

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

However, there is scope for progress, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory 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 furious with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more steadiness is needed from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Frustration grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers indicating 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 turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, underscoring a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The risk is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their most impressive performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a strength. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more strategic. Is a shift to a back five likely? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have gotten better 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 heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued 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 unreliable.

But this is one game where the result may excuse the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a defensive approach breaks a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Success would energize Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this contest with Maresca.