🔗 Share this article

At the time Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were considered. It was an comprehensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they finally chose Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s roster of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Overlooked by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham brought in the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both occupying major roles. Theirs is not currently a full-fledged rivalry, but they had some close duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer 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 fascinating by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to deploy an variety of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up 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 strongest displays have come in games where they have surrendered the possession. They were superb with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and overwhelmed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

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

This is a difficult game to read. 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 doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a absence of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The truth 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 been costly. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

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

Irritation built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their key approach is being exploited and turned on them.

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, underscoring a vulnerability when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The danger is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the worry also comes to mind.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their best performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a positive attribute. 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 adventurous tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly 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 launching balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a heavy creative load 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 inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. A win would energize Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this duel with Maresca.