Showdown of Approaches Awaits as Frank and Maresca Face Off in Emerging Competition

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

The feeling was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession rendered him the most suitable for Chelsea’s squad of talented individuals. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they dismissed Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham appointed the Danish manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying high-profile roles. Theirs is not currently a full-blown rivalry, but they had some hard-fought duels 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 interesting by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more inclined to be direct, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to deploy an variety of deadly set-piece routines, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola philosophy; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s possession average of 59.7% this season is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not inherently a defensive side – they are ranked seventh in the possession table, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best displays have come in games where they have ceded the possession. They were excellent with a five-man defense in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, implemented an exceptional pressing game when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and destroyed Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those results indicate Spurs should play on the counter when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their last 18 home fixtures is the lowest of any team to have been in the top flight throughout that period.

This is a tricky game to call. Spurs are five points off the summit and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached 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 onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and difficulties against low blocks.

The reality is that both managers are doing fine. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have had an impact. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

Yet, 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 victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s banishment 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 incisive against low blocks. The goals have slowed down for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young attacking midfielders.

Frustration grew 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 adjustment to a five-man defense baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had prepared well. Statistics showing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its peak this season implies that their fundamental philosophy is being exploited 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 highest possession stats last season, underscoring a vulnerability when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The threat is drifting into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s term. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also is relevant.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth noting that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they put in their finest performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a strength. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are exciting when they have space to attack.

Will Frank give them space? Chelsea punished Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be more strategic. Is a shift to a back five possible? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso launching balls into the box. They will take into account that Chelsea have gotten better at attacking set pieces but are conceding too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ style. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a significant creative burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, targeted by Chelsea last summer, has not performed to expectations since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the ends may excuse the method. Spurs fans will not complain if a pragmatic approach halts a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. A win would ignite Frank’s time in charge. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.