🔗 Share this article

At the time Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were evaluated. This was an thorough process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they ultimately opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s structured approach and priority on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham hired the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both in major roles. Theirs is not currently a established rivalry, but they had some tight encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to execute an range of clinical set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he prizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not naturally a defensively-minded 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 surrendered the possession. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results indicate Spurs ought to sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The figures are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home fixtures is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a hard 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. However, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a absence of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and toils against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they lose 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 reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Still, there is scope for development, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s ludicrous sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win 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 angry with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Irritation built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Numbers indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season suggests that their key approach is being used against them and used to their disadvantage.

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 flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The threat is falling into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the fear also is relevant.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their finest performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a advantage. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them space? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a shift to a back five possible? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will observe that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily match Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a considerable creative responsibility 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 general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the ends may validate the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach breaks a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s reign. How he would relish to win this duel with Maresca.