At the time Chelsea were seeking for a successor for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were evaluated. This was an comprehensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they finally selected Enzo Maresca.
The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and emphasis on possession rendered him the ideal candidate for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next opportunity. Overlooked by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment came when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after firing Ange Postecoglou last summer.
Currently, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both in high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a established rivalry, but they had some tight encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.
Those were two engaging games, made more fascinating by the tactical differences between the managers. Frank is considered a practical manager, more willing to be direct, play on the break, and wait for chances to unveil an range of clinical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca leans towards dogmatism. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola school; he prizes control of the ball.
Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% so far this campaign is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank mixes it up more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their best displays have come in games where they have relinquished the control. They were outstanding with a defensive setup in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, executed an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.
Those results suggest Spurs should sit back when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The figures are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home outings is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that timeframe.
This is a tricky game to predict. Spurs are five points off first place and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a lack 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 truth is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could slip to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be overlooked.
Still, there is potential for improvement, 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 dismissal from the dugout during the win over Liverpool.
Maresca was furious with Delap, who is suspended for the trip to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have decreased for João Pedro, and more steadiness is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.
Irritation built during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s switch to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Numbers showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season implies that their core identity is being weaponised 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, highlighting a flaw when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to the limit. The danger is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.
Maresca differs in opinion, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their finest performance under the Italian and routed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a positive attribute. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are pulsating when they have space to attack.
Will Frank give them opportunity? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more cautious. Is a change to a back five likely? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have improved at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.
Being so straightforward does not necessarily align with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.
But this is one game where the result may validate the approach. Spurs fans will not object if a cautious approach halts a four-game winless streak against Chelsea. Victory would energize Frank’s time in charge. How he would love to win this battle with Maresca.
