🔗 Share this article

At the time Chelsea were searching for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were in contention. It was an thorough process that involved the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they eventually selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Not chosen by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham hired the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both in major roles. Theirs is not currently a established rivalry, but they experienced some close encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and had the superior chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more interesting by the tactical differences between the coaches. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more likely to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to execute an range of effective set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca leans towards ideological rigidity. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is bettered 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 rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their strongest showings have come in games where they have ceded the control. They were outstanding with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an impressive pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results indicate Spurs ought to sit back when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, it must be noted, have one win from their past seven home league games. The numbers are disappointing. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight throughout 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 skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a shortage of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and toils against defensive setups.

The situation is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is mitigating circumstances to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.

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

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is banned for the trip to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more penetrative against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more steadiness is required from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense 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 suggests that their key approach is being used against them and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, underscoring a flaw when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The risk is slipping into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their most impressive performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a advantage. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are exciting when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them space? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a shift to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the ends may justify the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach breaks a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Victory would energize Frank’s reign. How he would love to win this contest with Maresca.