🔗 Share this article

When Chelsea were seeking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were in contention. This was an extensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and priority on possession made him the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham hired the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both in high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they had some close matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more interesting by the tactical differences between the tacticians. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to execute an array of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season 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 performances have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were superb with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an outstanding pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

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

This is a difficult game to read. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, due to the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

Yet, there is scope for development, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success 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 thinking about how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more steadiness is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Irritation grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season suggests that their fundamental philosophy is being used against them 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 flaw when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The danger is falling into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also comes to mind.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their best performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a advantage. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more strategic. Is a shift to a back five possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily align with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a considerable creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in open play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not mind if a cautious approach breaks a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s tenure. How he would relish to win this battle with Maresca.