🔗 Share this article

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

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and priority on possession positioned him as the best fit 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 dismissed Erik ten Hag, his moment arrived when Tottenham appointed the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

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

Those were two decent games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the tacticians. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more willing to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to execute an variety of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes dominance 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 naturally a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their strongest showings have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were excellent with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs should sit back when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The figures 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 period.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off first place and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a shortage of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their indifferent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, due to the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Yet, there is room for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s dismissal from the dugout during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Irritation built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season suggests that their key approach is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, emphasizing a vulnerability when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The danger is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also is relevant.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their best 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 pulsating when they have space to attack.

Will Frank grant them opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a shift to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily match Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety 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 breaks a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would cherish to win this battle with Maresca.