Manchester City dominate Premier League team of the decade

With the decade done and dusted, it's time to take stock as we run through the WhoScored.com Premier League team of the decade, of those to make 175 or more appearances from January 1st 2010 onwards. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are all represented in an XI dominated by defending champions Manchester City... 

Goalkeeper: Lukasz Fabianski - 6.89 rating 

David De Gea or Petr Cech may feature in any Premier League team of the decade, but Lukasz Fabianski has a better WhoScored rating (6.89) than the duo to make the cut between the sticks. The Pole has been a consistent force to be reckoned with over the last decade, predominantly with Swansea, but with Arsenal and West Ham, too, having made 737 saves and kept 58 clean sheets since January 1st 2010. 

Right-back: Antonio Valencia - 7.16 rating 

The sole Manchester United representative in a decade that started well, but ultimately ended disappointingly, Antonio Valencia was a regular feature for the record Premier League champions before his 2019 departure, making 222 league appearances since January 1st 2010. The Ecuadorian defender made the 12th most accurate crosses in that time (260) and his solid form from right-back was enough to land a WhoScored rating of 7.16. 

Centre-back: Laurent Koscielny - 7.21 rating 

Laurent Koscielny's time at Arsenal ended on a sour note as he forced through a move to Bordeaux, but the Frenchman was so often a solid performer at the heart of the Gunners backline when fit to start. Indeed, he made more interceptions (697) than any other Premier League player last decade while his 1129 tackles and interceptions combined was the second most. Such commendable returns helped garner a WhoScored rating of 7.21. 

Centre-back: Vincent Kompany - 7.19 rating 

Manchester City's decorated former captain departed for Anderlecht over the summer after helping the side to a domestic treble. All in all, the Belgian centre-back won 10 winners' medals in the last decade as he firmly established as a fan favourite at the Etihad Stadium and one of the most recognisable centre-backs in Premier League history. The defender's notable showings for the defending champions sees him partner Koscielny at the back with a WhoScored rating of 7.19. 

Left-back: Gael Clichy - 7.28 rating 

Rounding off the backline is Gael Clichy, who excelled at left-back for Arsenal and Manchester City before his 2017 switch to Istanbul Basaksehir. 2.7 tackles per game over the last decade ranked among the top 10 players to make a minimum of 175 Premier League appearances with the Frenchman impressive off the ball to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.28. 

Right midfield: Sadio Mane - 7.31 rating 

The second of five players still plying their trade in the Premier League to make the best XI of the decade, Sadio Mane has been a vital member of this title chasing Liverpool side following his big money arrival from Southampton in 2016, the latter for which he scored the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history. 76 league goals and 28 assists has helped the Senegal star land a WhoScored rating of 7.31. 

Central midfield: Yaya Toure - 7.27 rating 

The third of five Manchester City players to make the cut, Yaya Toure was an inspired signing for the side when he joined from Barcelona in 2010 and was so often the driving force from deep as he helped the Cityzens to three Premier League titles following his arrival. Totalling 230 Premier League appearances prior to his 2018 departure for Olympiacos, the Ivorian made 13994 accurate passes to reinforce a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'passing' and land a WhoScored rating of 7.27. 

Central midfield: David Silva - 7.37 rating 

With a WhoScored rating of 7.37, David Silva partners Toure in the middle of the park. The Spaniard, who'll depart Manchester City at the end of the season, made 15370 accurate passes last decade, and he was the only player to better Toure's return in that period. Arguably one of City's best signings in their history, Silva made more key passes (768), registered more assists (89) and made more successful final third passes (7239) than any other Premier League player last decade. City will find it difficult to replace the Spanish magician when he leaves in the summer. 

Left midfield: Eden Hazard - 7.64 rating 

Our Premier League player of the decade with a fine WhoScored rating of 7.64, Eden Hazard proved an magnificent signing for Chelsea back in 2012 and had a direct hand in 139 goals last decade, the sixth best return of its kind. The Belgian maestro completed more dribbles (909) than any other player and while Chelsea aren't wholly struggling following his exit, the Blues were a far better team with Hazard cutting in front the left. 

Striker: Sergio Aguero - 7.46 rating 

Sergio Aguero's decade defining moment came back in 2012 as his late, late strike in Manchester City's 3-2 win over QPR in the final seconds of the season saw City pip rivals Manchester United to the title. It was one of 174 goals the Argentine netted last decade, that more than any other Premier League player, as Aguero returned a WhoScored rating of 7.46. 

Striker: Harry Kane - 7.42 rating 

Harry Kane's 2020 started on the wrong foot as he sustained a hamstring injury at Southampton, but the Tottenham striker enjoyed a fine decade. Having established himself as first choice frontman for the north London side, Kane's 136 Premier League goals was second only to Aguero, with those strikes coming from just 200 top-flight outings. All in all, it was enough to see Kane make this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.42.