A number of the games' biggest stars having graced the English top-flight over the past 10 years, but who did enough to make the XI?
GK: David de Gea
A five-time participant in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, four-time winner of the Manchester United Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and one-time appearance holder in the FIFPro World XI, David de Gea has been among the most decorated and well-regarded goalkeepers in the world throughout his time at Old Trafford.
Still in his prime, he has already completed a clean-sweep of English domestic honours including, the Premier League title in 2013.
For his consistency, De Gea beats Petr Cech to a place in our XI.
RB: Pablo Zabaleta
Signed the day before the Abu Dhabi United Group completed their Manchester City takeover, the Argentine went on to become a huge fan favourite throughout his near decade at the club.
Amid the pandemonium of City's title win in 2012, it is easily forgotten that Zabaleta scored the crucial first goal that day. Tireless, combative and utterly committed, Zabaleta won two Premier League titles and a host of other honours with City before leaving for West Ham.
Edges out Kyle Walker for a place in this team, who has starred since being signed as a replacement for Zabaleta having earned a big-money move from Tottenham.
CB: Vincent Kompany
From the moment he arrived to the moment he departed with a domestic treble added to his considerable collection, Vincent Kompany was beloved by all Manchester City supporters.
He, in many ways, came to typify the club over the decade as captain and leader, serving with distinction on and off the field. He won four league titles under three different managers and was the defender Pep Guardiola turned to at his times of need.
A three-time participant in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and one-time winner of the Premier League Player of the Season award, there is no doubting Kompany’s impact, right until his final game at the Etihad when his goal of the season saw off Leicester and all but clinched the title.
CB: Virgil van Dijk
Scarcely can one signing have transformed a club so utterly as Virgil van Dijk has done for Liverpool. The missing piece of Jurgen Klopp’s jigsaw, he led the Reds to their sixth Champions League title and in the process has become the best centre-back English football has ever known.
Widely respected by players, pundits and managers alike, Van Dijk is the reigning English and European Footballer of the Year. He now only needs a Premier League title to cap off a stunning rise to prominence.
Though he has not featured in the league for the same length of time as other candidates such as John Terry, there can simply be no doubting his quality.
LB: Cesar Azpilicueta
Such is his consistency and versatility that there could be call to include Cesar Azpilicueta in three defensive positions; those of right-back, right-sided centre-back and finally at left-back.
It is in that position where he predominantly played in winning a Premier League title under Jose Mourinho, who once said he'd love "11 Azpilicuetas", and he added another at centre-back under Antonio Conte.
Once voted Chelsea's Player of the Year, he is now club captain under Frank Lampard.
CM: Yaya Toure
The capture of Yaya Toure from Barcelona by Manchester City was transformative in the sense that it showed peak talents that they could move to an emerging force and still win.
He would go on to become the centre piece of two Premier League title winning sides and earned another as a bit-part player under Pep Guardiola.
Nonetheless, he kick-started City’s era of dominance with a scarcely-believable 20 goals from midfield during the 2013-14 season. He was twice voted into the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and was awarded the title of African Footballer of the Year on two occasions, as well as being named City’s Player of the Year in 2014.He gets into our XI just ahead of former team-mate Kevin De Bruyne.
CM: N'Golo Kante
There is no doubt that N'Golo Kante was one of the best signings of this or any decade when Leicester City paid Caen some £5 million for his services in the summer of 2015.
The effect he had for the Foxes in one of the most shocking Premier League title races of all time was profound. He followed that up by claiming the same trophy with Chelsea a year later, before going on to win the World Cup with France.
The Premier League Player of the Season in 2017, the PFA Players' Player of the Year the same season, twice in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and once in the FIFPro World XI, Kante has been among the very best midfielders in the world over the past five years.
Gets the nods over Fernandinho in the midfield anchor position.
CM: David Silva
Quite possibly the best player in Premier League history and the architect of four Manchester City title wins, David Silva has seen and done it all in English football, earning plaudits for his guile, creativity and his adaptability.
A key-part of the greatest team the Premier League has ever seen, Silva has been a favourite of Pep Guardiola as well as his predecessors Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini.
Two times in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and once voted City's Player of the Season, Silva's astonishing career has not got the individual recognition it deserves.
FW: Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling was part of a Liverpool team that went desperately close to the Premier League title in 2014 but there were still plenty of doubts over his move to Manchester City a year later. His rate of improvement, though, has been phenomenal and he is now close to the finished article.
Where once he struggled for consistency in front of goal, he has now scored over 50 top-flight goals. He fits Pep Guardiola' s plans perfectly and is the proud owner of two Premier League winners' medals.
Currently, Sterling is the reigning Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year holder, the PFA Young Player of the Year and holds down a place on the PFA Premier League Team of the Year too.
Beats out the likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Suarez to gain his place in this line-up.
FW: Sergio Aguero
The man who will always be remembered for delivering Manchester City their first Premier League title with the most iconic goal in their history, but Aguero has been about so much more than that magic moment back in 2012. That goal brought only one of four titles he has won.
Furthermore, he has managed 20 or more goals in the Premier League in six of his eight full seasons at City. He has been twice the club’s Player of the Year and has earned his place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the last two seasons running.
He has taken his game to new heights under Pep Guardiola and should be renowned, one day, as the greatest goalscorer his league has ever known.
FW: Eden Hazard
The most individually-talented player the league has ever known, Hazard set the Premier League alight for seven years before finally moving to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019.
He has been a Premier League title winner twice, once each under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, and has delivered countless golden moments for Chelsea fans throughout his time in the Premier League.
He has been in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year four times and the FIFA FIFPro World XI the last two years running. He has twice been in the UEFA Team of the Year for good measure. In 2015 he was voted both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season.
The Belgium captain remains at the peak of his powers and the league is poorer for his absence.
Honourable Mentions
Starting from the back, Petr Cech and Joe Hart were dependable performers in goal while the likes of John Terry, Leighton Baines, Kyle Walker and David Luiz had strong cases for inclusion in defence, as did Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic for the strength of their performances earlier in the decade for Manchester United.
Fernandinho was unlucky to miss out in midfield as was team-mate Kevin De Bruyne. Michael Carrick, Cesc Fabregas and Gareth Bale were also bright at one stage or another but just miss out.
Up front, Harry Kane has done well but has no medals to show for it. Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez, Mohamed Salah, Romelu Lukaku and especially Jamie Vardy were also in contention.
How they line up
So, there you have it, our Premier League Team of the Decade!
But what do you make of our selections? Are there any glaring omissions, in your opinion?
Post your thoughts – and your own line-ups – in the comments..
wiuckpuz
322
Rooney should be above Sterling Christ sake, Sterling is only 25-6 he hasn't proven consistency not has Rooney buh by all standards i'd go for him who has had a better iconic moments 'rooney'
JamesWalker
291
When you include Hazard and Exclude Drogba in the list
sula-k
275
RESPECT..making it to a list of PL title holders is not that easy
Nesaiknruy_Legend
251
Van Dijk and Kompany over John Terry? Sorry but I don't buy that if we are talking PL team of the decade... Even Juan Mata deserves a shout for his Chelsea days where he was a monster. Chelsea 2012 won the UCL and no one from that team gets into the PL team of the last decade? I find that a bit fishy... Petr not being in there when he only lost form in 2016 at Arsenal though even then first season he was fine and Arsenal defence have been tragic for years anyway so idk what the author is smoking with this. Mane deserved a place ahead of Sterling cos he was elite even at Southampton. Ivanovic before his sudden decline at around the 30 mark was probably the best right back in the league and got left out for Zabaleta? Cmon man who does these....
Ernesta
197
No Kelvin De Bryune No Salah No Mane But there is Sterling who only played two seasons great n his average performance for Premier doesn't qualifies him I disagree strongly For goal keeping, Peter Cech is the man for the Decade For right back Walker should be in This is wrong Afers
Akechandy
191
The next Decade is going to be run by Kevin...and his brother Ruben Neves.
revojo123
150
Tbh VVD cant be in a team of the decade after 3 good years. People like Vertonghen Alderwireld Koscielny and Cahill have performed consistently over the whole decade and were solid aswell for a longer period
Mikedel
139
How would a season wonder Van Dijk without a Premier league trophy top the likes of Kompany, Terry, Ferdinand and Vidic that were so influential to thier team premier league triumph in the context of team of 10years and not team of the year......
Allforyou123
130
De Gea, Aguero, Azpelicueta and Zabeleta are the only players that make sense if the heading is taken into account (team of the decade-10 years) because these players are still playing and giving us reason to support our favorite teams (this season included)
Gunners4ever❤
87
These guys deserve Premier league trio of the century..
Mesballer
86
When Manchester united is still Manchester united........
rodadrst
68
Virgil Van Dijk and Raheem Sterling should not be on this list! Yes VVD has been the best defender in the league since he moved to the EPL, but that was in 2015. A decade is 10 years. You can't put him in a team of the decade based on 4 years when players like Gary Cahill have been excelling in the EPL since 2011. And as for Sterling, he only showed promise until Pep took over City 3 years ago! Certainly there have been better performers long before then! I would replace them with Cahill and Eriksen. De Gea Azpilicueta Kompany Cahill Zabaleta Kante Toure Eriksen Silva Hazard Aguero
Harkim_x
58
I can’t believe this defense is the best in the last decade. John Terry, Ferdinand and Vidic. This three deserves a spot. Ashley Cole or Evra also deserves a spot.
Appiasco
56
And what is Virgil van Dijk doing in the list a player who has only have two good seasons in the league without a premier league trophy ho can u choose him over John Terry in this list who has not less than two PL trophies in the last decade?
yotacnoz
38
CM: Yaya Toure  The capture of Yaya Toure from Barcelona by Manchester City was transformative in the sense that it showed peak talents that they could move to an emerging force and still win. He would go on to become the centre piece of two Premier League title winning sides and earned another as a bit-part player under Pep Guardiola. Nonetheless, he kick-started City’s era of dominance with a scarcely-believable 20 goals from midfield during the 2013-14 season. He was twice voted into the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and was awarded the title of African Footballer of the Year on two occasions, as well as being named City’s Player of the Year in 2014. He gets into our XI just ahead of former team-mate Kevin De Bruyne. CM: N'Golo Kante  There is no doubt that N'Golo Kante was one of the best signings of this or any decade when Leicester City paid Caen some £5 million for his services in the summer of 2015. The effect he had for the Foxes in one of the most shocking Premier League title races of all time was profound. He followed that up by claiming the same trophy with Chelsea a year later, before going on to win the World Cup with France. The Premier League Player of the Season in 2017, the PFA Players' Player of the Year the same season, twice in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and once in the FIFPro World XI, Kante has been among the very best midfielders in the world over the past five years. Gets the nods over Fernandinho in the midfield anchor position. CM: David Silva  Quite possibly the best player in Premier League history and the architect of four Manchester City title wins, David Silva has seen and done it all in English football, earning plaudits for his guile, creativity and his adaptability. A key-part of the greatest team the Premier League has ever seen, Silva has been a favourite of Pep Guardiola as well as his predecessors Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini. Two times in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and once voted City's Player of the Season, Silva's astonishing career has not got the individual recognition it deserves. FW: Raheem Sterling  Raheem Sterling was part of a Liverpool team that went desperately close to the Premier League title in 2014 but there were still plenty of doubts over his move to Manchester City a year later. His rate of improvement, though, has been phenomenal and he is now close to the finished article. Where once he struggled for consistency in front of goal, he has now scored over 50 top-flight goals. He fits Pep Guardiola' s plans perfectly and is the proud owner of two Premier League winners' medals. Currently, Sterling is the reigning Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year holder, the PFA Young Player of the Year and holds down a place on the PFA Premier League Team of the Year too. Beats out the likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Suarez to gain his place in this line-up. FW: Sergio Aguero  The man who will always be remembered for delivering Manchester City their first Premier League title with the most iconic goal in their history, but Aguero has been about so much more than that magic moment back in 2012. That goal brought only one of four titles he has won. Furthermore, he has managed 20 or more goals in the Premier League in six of his eight full seasons at City. He has been twice the club’s Player of the Year and has earned his place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the last two seasons running. He has taken his game to new heights under Pep Guardiola and should be renowned, one day, as the greatest goalscorer his league has ever known. FW: Eden Hazard  The most individually-talented player the league has ever known, Hazard set the Premier League alight for seven years before finally moving to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019. He has been a Premier League title winner twice, once each under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, and has delivered countless golden moments for Chelsea fans throughout his time in the Premier League. He has been in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year four times and the FIFA FIFPro World XI the last two years running. He has twice been in the UEFA Team of the Year for good measure. In 2015 he was voted both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season. The Belgium captain remains at the peak of his powers and the league is poorer for his absence. Honourable Mentions Starting from the back, Petr Cech and Joe Hart were dependable performers in goal while the likes of John Terry, Leighton Baines, Kyle Walker and David Luiz had strong cases for inclusion in defence, as did Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic for the strength of their performances earlier in the decade for Manchester United.Fernandinho was unlucky to miss out in midfield as was team-mate Kevin De Bruyne. Michael Carrick, Cesc Fabregas and Gareth Bale were also bright at one stage or another but just miss out.Up front, Harry Kane has done well but has no medals to show for it. Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez, Mohamed Salah, Romelu Lukaku and especially Jamie Vardy were
MANDY92
36
This is bull shit....Virgil Van Dijk over Captain JT..... that's crazy.
lented
26
No Lampard...this shit!!!!!!