🔗 Share this article

At the time Chelsea were searching for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, a number of managers were evaluated. This was an comprehensive process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and priority on possession positioned him as the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Overlooked by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

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

Those were two decent games, made more intriguing by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a pragmatist, more willing to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to execute an variety of deadly set-piece strategies, 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 naturally a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest displays have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were outstanding with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results indicate Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a hard game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and unbeaten in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled 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 low blocks.

The situation is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is context to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, caused by the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

However, there is scope for development, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary 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 technical area 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 incisive against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Irritation built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a five-man defense confused Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Statistics showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season indicates that their key approach is being weaponised 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 most possession last season, underscoring a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to the limit. The threat is drifting into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the anxiety also applies here.

Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their best performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Flexibility is a strength. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank allow them freedom? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will surely be more cautious. Is a switch to a back five on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will observe 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 significant creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, courted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the result may validate the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Victory would energize Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this battle with Maresca.