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When Chelsea were searching for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were considered. This was an extensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually opted for Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession made him the best fit for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding high-profile roles. Theirs is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they had some hard-fought duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate 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 competitive games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is considered a practical manager, more likely to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to unveil an array of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their best performances have come in games where they have relinquished the possession. They were superb with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs should play on the counter when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have only one victory from their last seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a hard game to predict. Spurs are five points off first place and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached 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 responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more consistency 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 xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Data revealing 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 weaponised and turned on them.

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, underscoring a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The risk is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the worry also is relevant.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth recalling 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. Adaptability is a strength. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be smarter. Is a change 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 note that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

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