🔗 Share this article

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

The feeling was that Maresca’s tactical system and emphasis on possession positioned him as the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Overlooked by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham brought in the Danish manager after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying major roles. Theirs is not currently a established rivalry, but they had some tight encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the better chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the tactical differences between the managers. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to execute an range of clinical set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards ideological rigidity. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he prizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not inherently a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their most impressive performances have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were superb with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an outstanding counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results suggest Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their last seven home league games. The figures are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a difficult game to call. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated 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 unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s inexperience, lack of discipline, and struggles against low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

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

Maresca was displeased with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more steadiness is needed from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Numbers revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their core identity is being used against them and turned on them.

This is not a recent issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, emphasizing a weakness when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The threat is slipping into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also comes to mind.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their most impressive performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have space to attack.

Will Frank allow them opportunity? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a change to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily align with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in open play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the result may excuse the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a pragmatic approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.