Battle of Styles Looms as Thomas Frank and Enzo Maresca Face Off in Emerging Competition

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

The belief was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession positioned him as the best fit for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had achieved great success at Brentford, had to bide his time for his next chance. Not chosen by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his opportunity came when Tottenham hired the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Currently, Frank and Maresca face each other, both occupying high-profile roles. Theirs is not yet a full-blown rivalry, but they experienced some tight duels last season. Frank’s Brentford were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the better chances when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two decent games, made more interesting by the divergent approaches between the coaches. Frank is considered a practical manager, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the break, and wait for opportunities to unveil an variety of deadly set-piece strategies, whereas Maresca leans towards a strict philosophy. The Italian is a product of the Pep Guardiola school; he values control of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is exceeded only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank adapts his tactics more. Spurs are not inherently a defensively-minded side – they are seventh in the possession rankings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is significant that their best displays have come in games where they have surrendered the possession. They were superb with a defensive setup 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 suggest Spurs might play on the counter when they welcome Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have only one victory from their past seven home league games. The statistics are awful. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the poorest of any team to have been in the top flight during that period.

This is a hard game to read. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are Club World Cup winners and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Nevertheless, fans of both sides remain skeptical about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled about a lack of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s complain about their young side’s immaturity, lack of discipline, and struggles against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are managing reasonably well. Chelsea could drop to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is context to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been costly. A interrupted pre-season, due to the club reaching the final at the Club World Cup, cannot be ignored.

However, there is room for progress, especially when it comes to keeping 11 players on the pitch. Liam Delap’s rash dismissal during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Wolves was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s removal from the technical area during the win over Liverpool.

Maresca was furious with Delap, who is banned for the visit to Spurs. But he is also considering how to make his team more effective against defensive teams. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is needed from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment mounted during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their expected goals was 0.97. Sunderland’s change to a back five flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had done his homework. Data revealing 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 weaponised and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was zero victories from the four league games in which Chelsea had their highest possession stats last season, highlighting a flaw when Maresca’s pursuit for control is taken to extremes. The risk is falling into ineffective control, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the fear also comes to mind.

Maresca contests this view, but it is worth recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession when they produced their finest performance under the Italian and decisively beat PSG in the Club World Cup final. Variety is a positive attribute. Chelsea have several fast attackers and are pulsating when they have room to attack.

Will Frank give them space? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their past two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more strategic. Is a change to a back five likely? Chelsea have allowed goals from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso throwing 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 direct does not necessarily match Spurs’ history. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable, there is a significant creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not made an impact since joining RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in from open situations. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the outcome may excuse the approach. Spurs fans will not complain if a pragmatic approach breaks a four-game sequence of defeats against Chelsea. Victory would energize Frank’s tenure. How he would cherish to win this battle with Maresca.