🔗 Share this article

When Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were considered. This was an comprehensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately opted for Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession made him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham hired the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying major roles. Their relationship is not currently a established rivalry, but they had some close encounters 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 engaging games, made more fascinating by the divergent approaches between the tacticians. Frank is more of a practical manager, more inclined to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to execute an range of effective set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is exceeded 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 rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their strongest showings have come in games where they have relinquished the control. They were outstanding with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a hard game to predict. Spurs are five points off the summit and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. 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 had an impact. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

However, there is room for development, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous 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 touchline during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more steadiness is needed from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Disappointment mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. 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 weaponised and used to their disadvantage.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories 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 the limit. The danger is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the worry also comes to mind.

Maresca differs in opinion, 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. Flexibility is a advantage. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be smarter. Is a change to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching 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 match Spurs’ style. 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 joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in open play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the method. Spurs fans will not object if a defensive approach ends a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Success would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this battle with Maresca.