A few managers had been within the working when Chelsea had been on the lookout for a alternative for Mauricio Pochettino in Might 2024. It was an in depth course of and concerned the membership speaking to Thomas Frank earlier than they settled on Enzo Maresca.
The sensation was that Maresca's positional recreation and give attention to possession made him most suited to Chelsea's squad of technicians. Frank, who had carried out brilliantly at Brentford, needed to anticipate his subsequent alternative. Neglected by Manchester United after they fired Erik ten Hag, it arrived when Tottenham employed the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou final summer season.
Now Frank and Maresca meet with each in large jobs. Theirs just isn't a rivalry but however that they had some shut duels final season. Frank's Brentford had been unlucky to lose 2-1 at Stamford Bridge final December and had the higher possibilities after they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in April.
These had been two respectable video games, made extra attention-grabbing due to the tactical variations between the coaches. Frank is extra of a pragmatist, extra prepared to be direct, play on the break and anticipate alternatives to unveil an array of medical set-piece routines, whereas Maresca veers in direction of dogmatism. The Italian comes from the Pep Guardiola faculty; he prizes dominance of the ball.
Chelsea's common of 59.7% possession this season is bettered solely by Liverpool within the Premier League. Frank mixes it up extra. Spurs aren't instinctively a defensive facet – they're seventh within the possession rankings, forward of Manchester United and Newcastle – however it's telling that their greatest performances have are available in video games the place they've ceded the initiative. They had been wonderful with a again 5 within the Tremendous Cup towards Paris Saint-Germain, carried out an excellent counterpress after they gained 2-0 at Manchester Metropolis and destroyed Everton with set items final Sunday.
These experiences counsel Spurs ought to sit again after they host Chelsea. Tottenham, in any case, have one win from their previous seven house league video games. The numbers are terrible. Spurs' report of 13 factors from their previous 18 house outings is the worst of any workforce to have been within the prime flight all through that interval.
It is a exhausting recreation to learn. Spurs are 5 factors off first place and unbeaten within the Champions League. Chelsea are world champions and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week. Nonetheless, followers of each side stay unconvinced by Frank and Maresca. Spurs supporters have grumbled a couple of lack of creativity when the onus is on their workforce to assault; Chelsea's moan about their younger facet's immaturity, indiscipline and toils towards low blocks.
The truth is that each managers are doing high quality. Chelsea might slip to twelfth in the event that they lose to Spurs however there may be context to their detached outcomes. Accidents to Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have taken a toll. A disrupted pre-season, brought on by the membership going all the way in which on the Membership World Cup, can't be missed.
But there may be room for enchancment, particularly with regards to maintaining 11 gamers on the pitch. Liam Delap's ludicrous dismissal throughout Wednesday's Carabao Cup victory towards Wolves was Chelsea's sixth purple card in 9 video games, together with Maresca's banishment from the touchline throughout the win over Liverpool.
Maresca was livid with Delap, who's banned for the journey to Spurs. However he's additionally pondering learn how to make his workforce extra incisive towards low blocks. The objectives have dried up for João Pedro and extra consistency is required from Chelsea's younger vast gamers.
Frustration mounted throughout final weekend's 2-1 house defeat by Sunderland. Chelsea had 68.4% possession, their highest of the marketing campaign, however their xG was 0.97. Sunderland's change to a again 5 flummoxed Maresca. Régis Le Bris had executed his homework. Statistics exhibiting it's one win from the six league video games when Chelsea's possession has been at its highest this season suggests their core identification is being weaponised and turned on them.
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This isn't a brand new challenge. It was no wins from the 4 league video games through which Chelsea had their most possession final season, highlighting a weak point when Maresca's quest for management is taken to extremes. The hazard is drifting into sterile domination, to borrow Arsène Wenger's phrase. José Mourinho's line in regards to the workforce with the ball having the concern additionally involves thoughts.
Maresca disagrees however it's price recalling that Chelsea had 33.5% possession after they produced their greatest efficiency beneath the Italian and thrashed PSG within the Membership World Cup last. Selection is a power. Chelsea have loads of quick attackers and are pulsating after they have house to assault.
Will Frank grant them freedom? Chelsea punished Postecoglou's gung-ho techniques on their previous two journeys to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Frank will certainly be smarter. Is a change to a again 5 on the playing cards? Chelsea have conceded from three lengthy throws this season. Spurs might have Kevin Danso chucking balls into the field. They may notice that Chelsea have improved at offensive set items however are conceding too many possibilities.
Being so direct doesn't essentially match with Spurs' traditions. However with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski lacking there's a heavy artistic burden on Mohammed Kudus. Xavi Simons, focused by Chelsea final summer season, has not executed sufficient since becoming a member of from RB Leipzig. Spurs are predictable in open play. Their forwards stay inconsistent.
However that is one recreation the place the ends could justify the means. Spurs followers won't thoughts if a defensive strategy ends a four-game shedding run towards Chelsea. Victory would ignite Frank's reign. How he would like to win this duel with Maresca.
