🔗 Share this article

When Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were in contention. This was an thorough process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually chose Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession positioned him as the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of skilled players. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both holding major roles. Their relationship is not currently a established rivalry, but they shared some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more fascinating by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more inclined to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to unveil an variety of deadly set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he values control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best showings have come in games where they have relinquished the possession. They were excellent 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 experiences suggest Spurs ought to sit back when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The numbers are disappointing. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the poorest 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 summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The truth is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could drop 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 been costly. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Still, there is potential for development, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash 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 dugout during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more effective against defensive teams. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more reliability is required from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Numbers indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their key approach 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, highlighting a weakness when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The danger is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their finest performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a strength. 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 attacking tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a change to a back five possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety 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 defensive 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.