🔗 Share this article

When Chelsea were looking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were in contention. It was an extensive process that involved the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately chose Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham hired the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca face each other, both in major roles. Theirs is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they shared some hard-fought encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 loss 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 divergent approaches between the managers. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more likely to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to deploy an variety of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he values dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is bettered only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not naturally a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their strongest displays have come in games where they have surrendered the control. They were outstanding with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences point to Spurs might play on the counter when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The figures are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a tricky game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a absence of creativity when the pressure is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is context to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Still, there is potential for progress, 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 removal from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is suspended for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more effective against defensive teams. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Irritation mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Data indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season suggests that their core identity is being weaponised and turned on them.

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 vulnerability when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. 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 contests this view, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their most impressive performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank allow them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s attacking tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a switch to a back five possible? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily match Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a considerable creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the means. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach breaks a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.