🔗 Share this article

At the time Chelsea were seeking for a replacement 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 opted for Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s positional game and emphasis on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s team of technicians. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his break came when Tottenham brought in the Dane after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

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

Those were two competitive games, made more fascinating by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is more of a practical manager, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to unveil an array of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca tends towards a strict philosophy. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola school; he values control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% this season is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have relinquished the initiative. They were excellent with a back five in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

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

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated 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 unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a absence of creativity when the responsibility is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

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

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more effective against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Frustration mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their maximum of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data indicating that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its maximum this season indicates that their key approach is being exploited and used to their disadvantage.

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, emphasizing a flaw when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The threat is drifting into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s comment about the team with the ball having the fear also applies here.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their most impressive performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a advantage. Chelsea have plenty of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them freedom? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a shift to a five-man defense possible? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have improved at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily align with 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 made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain unreliable.

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