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At the time Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were considered. This was an thorough process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they ultimately opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Overlooked by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment arrived when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying prestigious roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some hard-fought matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to execute an variety of effective set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes 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 adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not naturally a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest showings have come in games where they have surrendered the initiative. They were outstanding with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results point to Spurs should sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home outings 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 summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a shortage of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more incisive against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more steadiness is needed from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five 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 highest this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited 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 flaw when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to the limit. The threat is drifting into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their finest performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a strength. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them space? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more strategic. Is a switch to a five-man defense possible? 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 direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a considerable creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in open play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may justify the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a defensive approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Success would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.