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At the time Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were in contention. It was an extensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally opted for Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession made him the best fit for Chelsea’s team of skilled players. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Not chosen by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity arrived when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

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

Those were two decent games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is considered a practical manager, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for chances to execute an range of effective set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he emphasizes 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 naturally a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were outstanding with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results indicate Spurs ought to play on the counter when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a hard game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration 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 defensive setups.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could drop 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 taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Still, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous 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 displeased with Delap, who is banned for the visit to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more reliability 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 highest of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season indicates that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, underscoring a flaw when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to the limit. The risk is falling into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their most impressive performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a strength. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are exciting when they have room to attack.

Will Frank grant them opportunity? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a switch to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will take into account 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 responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in from open situations. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

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