🔗 Share this article

When Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were evaluated. It was an thorough process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession made him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. 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 break came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both in high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the more clear-cut chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the tacticians. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to execute an variety of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers towards ideological rigidity. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is exceeded 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 standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best displays have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were excellent with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results point to Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.

This is a tricky 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 last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

However, there is scope for improvement, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth such red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is needed from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Irritation mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season implies that their core identity is being exploited 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 highest possession stats last season, emphasizing a flaw when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The danger is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. 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 put in their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a strength. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more strategic. 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 attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a significant creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the result may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not object if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this battle with Maresca.