FROM Michu to Ravel Morrison, players have arrived with a bang or left with barely a whimper in the Premier League over the last decade.
Some such as Jamie Vardy have managed to write themselves into English football folklore while others like Yaya Sanogo disappeared without a trace.
But the stats don’t lie, and SunSport has delved into the Opta files to find out who have been the real stars over the last ten years and build our team of the decade.
Most of the usual suspects are there, plus one or two surprises…
BEN FOSTER
The current Watford stopper and Premier League veteran boasts the record of the most saves over the last ten years.
Granted most of his time has been spent with his goal being peppered while fighting relegation with Birmingham, West Brom and now Watford.
But he has still made a whopping 996 stops – 171 more than his nearest rival David de Gea.
PABLO ZABALETA
Lifted two Premier League titles with Man City and is widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in Premier League history.
But he will also be remembered for making 799 tackles, more than any other player.
ASHLEY WILLIAMS
No room for Van Dijk or Kompany in this team.
Williams represented Swansea and Everton in the Premier League over an eight-year span.
Never blessed with too much pace, the Welshman instead had the footballing brain and made the second most interceptions with 566.
LAURENT KOSCIELNY
Was well on his way to becoming an Arsenal legend until he saw a glimpse into the future and ducked out of there when he could.
The France ace made an unmatchable 697 interceptions during the last decade which is around 696 more than their current bunch of centre-backs.
CESAR AZPILICUETA
The Premier League legend needs little introduction as he makes the team of the decade.
Chelsea’s ever-reliable defender, who they signed for a bargain £7million, has made the second-most tackles for a full-back with 680.
Pablo Zabaleta has made more tackles this decade than anyone elseCredit: AP:Associated Press
Lucas Leiva is a cult favourite at Liverpool after spending 10 years at the clubCredit: Getty – Contributor
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN
Spurs’ attacking midfielder may be bowing out of the Premier League soon but at least he’ll have the memories of making this side.
The Great Dane boasts the second most assists with 62 – ahead of Kevin De Bruyne, Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney.
LUCAS LEIVA
The Liverpool man enjoyed ten years at the Reds in total and still plays now for Lazio.
Often underrated at times the Brazilian was not shy of sticking a boot in and he made more tackles than any other midfielder in this time (736).
DAVID SILVA
The Spanish magician has been capable of producing pieces of genius in the ten years he has spent at Man City.
He’s made 297 league appearances in that time in leads the assist charts with a whopping 89.
EDEN HAZARD
Another fallen soldier to one of the Spanish giants, Hazard was a joy to watch during his time at Chelsea.
A defender’s nightmare, the Belgian landed 909 successful dribbles during his time in the Premier League which is way more than Wilfried Zaha who has 724.
SERGIO AGUERO
Step aside Michu, it’s no surprise to see Aguero making the star-studded XI as he continues to bag goals for Man City.
Nobody can match his tally of 174 goals which also included 45 assists. What’s more is that he has scored in a staggering 124 games.
HARRY KANE
He was pipped in Spurs’ team of the decade to the one and only Peter Crouch but no one can deprive him of leading the line alongside Aguero.
The England captain has scored 94 goals since his emergence – three more than Romelu Lukaku.
Paul Pogba will NOT leave Man United in January transfer as he is focussed on injury recovery, claims Mino Raiola
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
