🔗 Share this article

When Chelsea were searching for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were in contention. It was an comprehensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and emphasis on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Not chosen by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham brought in the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying prestigious roles. Their relationship is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some tight duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the better chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more fascinating by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more willing to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for chances to deploy an range of effective set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he emphasizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have relinquished the initiative. They were superb with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those performances suggest Spurs might play on the counter when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their past seven home league games. The figures are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a lack of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and toils against low blocks.

The reality is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Yet, there is potential for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous sending off 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 suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more reliability is required from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Frustration built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their core identity is being weaponised and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, emphasizing a vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The risk is falling into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the worry also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a advantage. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a switch to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily align with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, 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 from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. A win would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.