Battle of Approaches Beckons as Thomas Frank and Maresca Confront Each Other in Growing Competition

At the time Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were considered. It was an extensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they finally selected Enzo Maresca.

The belief was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession positioned him as the most suitable for Chelsea’s roster of talented individuals. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham appointed the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Now, Frank and Maresca meet, both occupying high-profile roles. Their relationship is not yet a established rivalry, but they had 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 more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two competitive games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a adaptable coach, more likely to be direct, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to unveil an range of deadly set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca leans towards dogmatism. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes dominance 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 inherently a defensive side – they are seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is notable that their most impressive showings have come in games where they have surrendered the possession. They were superb with a back five 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 experiences point to Spurs might adopt a defensive approach when they host Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The statistics are disappointing. Spurs’ record of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the worst 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 quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Yet, fans of both sides remain doubtful about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have complained about a lack of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s inexperience, indiscipline, and toils against low blocks.

The truth is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they are defeated to Spurs, but there is background to their inconsistent results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, caused by the club going all the way at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

Still, there is potential for improvement, especially when it comes to maintaining 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s unnecessary sending off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win 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 displeased with Delap, who is suspended for the visit to Spurs. But he is also pondering how to make his team more penetrative against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more consistency is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment grew during last weekend’s 2-1 home loss by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a back five flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had studied his opponent. Data showing that it is only one victory from the six league games when Chelsea’s possession has been at its highest this season implies that their key approach 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 most possession last season, underscoring a flaw when Maresca’s quest for control is taken to the limit. The danger is falling into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the anxiety also is relevant.

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

Will Frank grant them space? Chelsea exploited Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a shift to a back five likely? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have improved at attacking set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so direct does not necessarily fit with Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missing, there is a heavy creative load on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are lacking variety in general play. Their forwards remain inconsistent.

But this is one game where the outcome may validate the approach. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Victory would boost Frank’s time in charge. How he would cherish to win this battle with Maresca.