Enzo Maresca led Chelsea to a league double over rivals Tottenham last season, but he’s now going up against Thomas Frank in the manager’s dugout.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, 45, ticked plenty of boxes last year during his first campaign in charge, winning two trophies and qualifying for the Champions League. Can he now follow it up with a successful second season?
It’s been a mixed bag for the Blues in the opening months of the 2025/26 season:
Competition Games Wins Draws Losses
Premier League 9 4 2 3
Champions League 3 2 0 1
Carabao Cup 2 2 0 0
Gary Neville has spoken about Chelsea’s inconsistency being a major problem for them. Unfortunately, it feels like a poor result is always just around the corner, meaning they’ve yet to build any real momentum.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca speaking to the media at Cobham in a press conference.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Thomas Frank praises Enzo Maresca and Chelsea
Spurs boss Thomas Frank, 52, has shared his admiration for his opposite number ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture at home to Chelsea.
In addition, he made the claim that the Blues have started this campaign pretty impressively.
During his pre-match press conference, Frank said via Tottenham’s official website: “Enzo’s done an amazing job at Chelsea. First season, qualifying for the Champions League and won the Conference League, so competing in definitely more than one front. Won the Club World Cup and had a decent start to the season – very impressive.
“It was very clear what him and his staff want to achieve, how they want to play. So, yeah, it’s going to be a nice, good challenge, another nice, good challenge in the Premier League against a very good manager and a very good team.”
Ahead of this weekend’s showdown, Spurs sit third in the league table on 17 points after nine games, while rivals Chelsea are ninth on 14 points.
Even though it’s still fairly early into the year, Maresca’s side won’t want to lose much ground on the clubs at the top end of the table. Last season, they left themselves a lot of work to do for the final stretch, sneaking fourth spot on the final day.
Alan Shearer tips Spurs to draw at home to Chelsea this Saturday, but it’s worth noting that the latter have won the previous four meetings between the teams.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank looks on prior to face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Tottenham will be delighted Cole Palmer is absent
Unfortunately, Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer is still out of action with a groin problem, which is extremely frustrating for everyone associated with the club.
From a Spurs perspective, that should be music to their ears.
Palmer has played four games against Spurs as a Chelsea player, boasting a 100 per cent win record. The England international has scored three times, too.
Hopefully, the likes of Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro or Estevao Willian are ready to stand up as key attackers for the Blues in such a pivotal game in the season.