Battle of The Bosses

Premier League Battle, Who Takes The Crown ?

It was the 2011 Champions League final and Pep Guardiola and Barcelona will always be remembered for their 3-1 masterclass performance on 2011 Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley.

It was a night which remains locked in the memories of those on both sides of the Manchester divide and has City fans licking their lips.

But Old Trafford supporters have a gleam in their eyes, too, seeing in Jose Mourinho not just Guardiola’s psychological and footballing nemesis, but also the first serial winner at United since Fergie left three years ago.

And down in the capital, there are hopes the Chelsea lion will roar again under Antonio Conte.

At Euro 2016 Conte’s Italy ended Spain’s reign with a tactical straitjacket that would have seen off world champions Germany as well had they struck their spot kicks with the same determination.

Will Pep Guardiola retain his magic touch at The Etihad?

Can Jose Mourinho deliver the Premier League title with United?

Antonio Conte is here from Italy to rev Chelsea up into champions again

For all the money being lashed out on players, the real stars of the Premier League will be in the dugouts this season.

Welcome to England, Senor Guardiola and Signor Conte. Welcome back, Senhor Mourinho.

Now you get the chance to show us all why the supporters want to believe you will make the difference this season.

Three kings after one crown.

That sultry night at Wembley five years ago was not just an evening of exemplary tiki-taka football — an expression Guardiola cannot stand to describe his teams because they are much more than that.

The basic principles behind the Spaniard’s sides are not based on possession and passing. They are far more basic than any intricacies drilled on the training ground.

When asked last week at The Etihad Campus about his style of play, Guardiola said: “At the end what we want is so simple — when the opponent has the ball, take it back as quick as possible.

Guardiola seen kissing the 2011 champions league trophy at Wembley

“When we have the ball try to move as quickly as possible, to create as many chances as possible. That’s all. And good team spirit.”

Wembley 2011 was a classic example of what he was saying as Ferguson’s players were hounded off the ball all over the park, even deep in their own half.

It was as if Barca had two extra men and their energy levels were incredible. You cannot get a team to play like Barcelona without Lionel Messi, Xavi or Andres Iniesta.

But you can certainly get them to hassle and harry and move the ball swiftly, which is what Guardiola’s sides do.

His formations always change depending on the opposition and it is often difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is early in games such is the fluidity in his sides.

There is nothing rigid in his approach — it can be 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. When his Bayern side beat Roma 7-1 in Europe two years ago, it looked like 2-3-3-2. But the basic principles remain the same.

The reason Guardiola hates the phrase tiki-taka is because it suggests passing the ball around with no purpose. His team pass it around to unsettle the opposition, wear them down and prise open a space.

If Guardiola were to start 4-2-3-1 with City he would most likely have new signing Ilkay Gundogan in front of the back four with Fernandinho.

Ilkay Gundogan to play in front of the back four

Captain Rooney should link up well with Henrikh Mkhitaryan at United

Another new signing, Nolito, would be on the left with Kevin De Bruyne on the right and David Silva behind Sergio Aguero — although De Bruyne and Silva can easily swap.

If, as City hope, they land wide midfielder Leroy Sane from Germans Schalke it could push Silva out of the picture. City will also be hoping to have John Stones lured away from Everton and in the heart of the defence by the big kick-off.

Mourinho, by contrast, can adapt to different leagues but becomes quite rigid once he has formed the plan.

The first time at Chelsea it was a 4-3-3 formation, at Inter he went to 4-4-2 and at Real Madrid and second time round at Stamford Bridge he primarily opted for 4-2-3-1.

That is the formation you can expect him to adopt at United.

New signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan will play on the right of the three with Wayne Rooney in the middle and Anthony Martial the left. Either Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Marcus Rashford will be up front.

If they can get Paul Pogba from Juventus to stand alongside either Morgan Schneiderlin or Michael Carrick in front of the back four, United suddenly look a powerful outfit.

Nolito to play on the left for City

Former Red Devil Paul Pogba to power United"s midfield

It is speed on the break and physical power that Mourinho always looks for and a defensive solidity from back to front.

As for Chelsea, Conte has faith in the back-three system he used at Juventus and then with the Azzurri.

Of course, it is easier when you have Leonardo Bonucci flanked by Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli with Gigi Buffon behind. Certainty and conviction, allied to brilliant deployment of the ‘mousetrap’ tactical shape.

Conte will be given cash to spend as owner Roman Abramovich demands a return to the top table after last season’s debacle.

The former Italy chief already has John Terry’s experience, the know how of Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic and, by September, the youth, pace and power of Kurt Zouma.

Eden Hazard’s displays at Euro 2016 were ample evidence that the Belgian’s real standard is the one he achieved in 2014-15, not last term.

Cesc Fabregas has a point or two to prove, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Brazilian youngster Kenedy have the energy and pace to carry the counters from deep.

Add a newly-slimline Diego Costa, Belgian sharpshooter Michy Batshuayi plus Conte’s organisational and man-management zeal, and Chelsea’s brew may prove potent.

As to if that will be enough for any of the trio to win the league, despite their huge financial advantage over the rest of the bosses, we live to witness.