Battle of Styles Looms as Thomas Frank and Enzo Maresca Go Head-to-Head in Growing Contest

When Chelsea were searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024, several managers were in contention. This was an extensive process that saw the club engaging with Thomas Frank before they ultimately selected Enzo Maresca.

The opinion was that Maresca’s tactical system and focus on possession rendered him the most suitable for Chelsea’s team of talented individuals. Frank, who had excelled at Brentford, had to remain patient for his next chance. Passed over by Manchester United after they let go of Erik ten Hag, his moment arrived when Tottenham hired the Dane after replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer.

At present, Frank and Maresca confront one another, both holding major roles. Theirs is not currently a established rivalry, but they experienced some hard-fought matches last season. Frank’s Brentford were unfortunate to endure a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last December and created the more clear-cut chances when they tied 0-0 with Chelsea in April.

Those were two engaging games, made more interesting by the contrasting styles between the managers. Frank is more of a pragmatist, more inclined to be straightforward, play on the counter-attack, and wait for opportunities to deploy an array of deadly set-piece plays, whereas Maresca tends towards dogmatism. The Italian hails from the Pep Guardiola coaching tree; he emphasizes dominance of the ball.

Chelsea’s average of 59.7% so far this campaign is topped only by Liverpool in the Premier League. Frank varies his approach more. Spurs are not instinctively a defensively-minded side – they are ranked seventh in the possession standings, ahead of Manchester United and Newcastle – but it is telling that their most impressive displays have come in games where they have ceded the initiative. They were excellent with a five-man defense 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 results suggest Spurs ought to adopt a defensive approach when they face Chelsea. Tottenham, after all, have one win from their last seven home league games. The statistics are concerning. Spurs’ return of 13 points from their past 18 home outings is the worst of any team to have been in the top flight during that timeframe.

This is a hard game to predict. Spurs are five points off the top and undefeated in the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. However, fans of both sides remain unconvinced about Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have expressed frustration about a absence of creativity when the onus is on their team to attack; Chelsea’s moan about their young side’s immaturity, indiscipline, and difficulties against defensive setups.

The reality is that both managers are performing adequately. Chelsea could fall to 12th if they lose to Spurs, but there is background to their mixed results. Injuries to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A interrupted pre-season, resulting from the club competing deep at the Club World Cup, cannot be dismissed.

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

Maresca was angry with Delap, who is banned for the fixture to Spurs. But he is also thinking about how to make his team more incisive against low blocks. The goals have dried up for João Pedro, and more reliability is necessary from Chelsea’s young wide players.

Disappointment built during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the season, but their xG was 0.97. Sunderland’s adjustment to a five-man defense 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 maximum this season suggests that their key approach is being exploited and turned on them.

This is not a new issue. It was no wins from the four league games in which Chelsea had their most possession last season, highlighting a flaw when Maresca’s drive for control is taken to extremes. The risk is drifting into unproductive possession, to borrow Arsène Wenger’s expression. José Mourinho’s remark about the team with the ball having the worry also applies here.

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

Will Frank give them opportunity? Chelsea took advantage of Postecoglou’s adventurous tactics on their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will undoubtedly be more cautious. Is a shift to a five-man defense on the cards? Chelsea have conceded from three long throws this season. Spurs could have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the box. They will note that Chelsea have gotten better at offensive set pieces but are allowing too many chances.

Being so straightforward does not necessarily align with Spurs’ traditions. But with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent, there is a considerable creative responsibility on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, pursued by Chelsea last summer, has not done enough since arriving from RB Leipzig. Spurs are one-dimensional in general play. Their forwards remain erratic.

But this is one game where the result may justify the method. Spurs fans will not mind if a pragmatic approach ends a four-game losing run against Chelsea. A win would ignite Frank’s reign. How he would cherish to win this contest with Maresca.