Clash of Styles Awaits as Frank and Maresca Go Head-to-Head in Developing Competition

At the time Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, multiple managers were considered. This was an thorough process that saw the club holding talks with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s structured approach and focus on possession rendered him the best fit for Chelsea’s roster of skilled players. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his big break. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity arrived when Tottenham brought in the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying prestigious roles. Theirs is not yet a full-fledged rivalry, but they had some hard-fought encounters last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last December and created the superior chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more intriguing by the contrasting styles between the coaches. Frank is more of a adaptable coach, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for chances to unveil an array of clinical set-piece plays, whereas Maresca veers towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he prizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s 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 instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their most impressive 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 impressive counterpress when they won 2-0 at Manchester City, and dominated Everton with set pieces last Sunday.

Those experiences suggest Spurs might play on the counter when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their past seven home league games. The numbers are awful. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home matches is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a difficult game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the last eight of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a shortage of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s lament about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

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

However, there is room for progress, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary red card during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory 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 angry with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is needed from Chelsea’s young wingers.

Irritation grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their peak of the campaign, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five baffled Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data revealing that it is one win from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season indicates that their core identity is being used against them 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, underscoring a vulnerability when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to extremes. The risk is slipping into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s phrase. José Mourinho’s line about the team with the ball having the fear also comes to mind.

Maresca disagrees, but it is worth remembering that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they delivered their best performance under the Italian and thrashed PSG in the Club World Cup final. Adaptability is a positive attribute. Chelsea have a number of fast attackers and are dynamic when they have room to attack.

Will Frank grant them opportunity? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a change to a back five likely? 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 gotten better at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so long-ball oriented does not necessarily match 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 done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in general play. Their forwards remain unreliable.

But this is one game where the ends may excuse the means. Spurs fans will not complain if a defensive approach halts a four-game losing run against Chelsea. Success would energize Frank’s tenure. How he would love to win this contest with Maresca.