The 2010s was a period of transition for the English Premier League as the already diverse competition took an even more cosmopolitan transformation.

An informal look at a team of the decade from the noughties would roughly include as many as seven English players, but the succeeding decade has not been as kind to England, with only one player selected.

Like all hypothetical teams, this is a subjective and personal list of the players I believe best represented the excellence of what was a memorable decade. From Wayne Rooney’s wonderstrike against Manchester City to Vincent Kompany’s thunderbolt against Leicester City, there has been no shortage of drama, excitement and surprise in the best league in the world.

The PFA team of the year always go with a 4-4-2 system as a default, but with the best interests of getting all the players fitting into a coherent and reasonable tactical shape, I have selected a formation in 3-5-2 that I think best makes use of fitting all the players in.

In goals there was no real outstanding competition besides the at times error-prone Hugo Lloris, as the likes of Petr Cech and Joe Hart either came to the end of their careers or dropped significantly in prominence after a period of excellence.

The decade was not particularly blessed with outstanding fullbacks in their prime, with Pablo Zabaleta being the only real notable exception, but his demise post-2016 has not helped his cause. Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra were in the twilight of their careers, while Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold have not quite played long enough in the decade. Branislav Ivanovic was a very difficult figure to leave out, but his longevity throughout the decade did not count for him given his collapse in form in 2015.

Gary Cahill was a multiple title winner and played the full decade but has to a degree waned in the last couple of seasons. John Terry’s best decade was certainly the noughties even if he could have quite easily made this team as well given his excellence well into the decade.

Virgil van Dijk may possibly go down as the greatest centre back in Premier League history by the end of his time at Liverpool, but he has not had the longevity to be considered for this team.

Fernandinho can count himself quite unlucky to miss out given his continued excellence over several seasons, while Christian Eriksen was not quite world-class for the whole decade and thus could not break into the team. Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard were coming to the end of their careers this decade and are duly omitted.

Up front Robin van Persie and Jamie Vardy certainly made the decade memorable, but there can only be two players, and there can be very little argument if we look at the numbers.

Criteria for selection has been judged on longevity, achievement and impact.

Goalkeeper: David De Gea, Manchester United

Longevity: 9/10
Achievement: 7/10
Impact: 10/10

Despite enduring a difficult opening to his career at Old Trafford since arriving in 2011, the Spaniard has well and truly established as a Premier League legend this decade. His magnificent shot-stopping and outrageous reflexes have saved Manchester United on countless occasions, and with a 102 clean sheets it’s only a matter of time before he reels in Petr Cech’s record of 161.

A Premier League title winner in 2012-13 and selected five times in the PFA team of year as well as a Golden Glove winner in 2017-18, his achievements and ability are all the more impressive given his outstanding durability has seen him play the most Premier League matches this decade, with 293 to date. He has been a shining light in the doldrums of United’s post-Alex Ferguson malaise and is deserving of the opportunity to win more honours.

Centre back: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea

Longevity: 8/10
Achievement: 8/10
Impact: 9/10

You have to be some player to have dislodged Ashley Cole from Chelsea’s defence, especially if left back is not your preferred position. The former Marseille man has been ever-present across the Chelsea defence since 2012, winning the Premier League as a right back in 2015 and as a centre back in 2017 to demonstrate phenomenal versatility. A player of immense heart, commitment and brilliant one-on-one defending despite not being the tallest nor quickest is testament to the Spaniards admirable battling qualities that have seen him be appointed captain for Chelsea in 2019-20.

How he has not been selected into the PFA team of season throughout the decade is a travesty, but two league titles among several domestic and European trophies attest to the success he has helped build at Stamford Bridge. He continues to be a warrior to this day, having made the most appearances this decade among outfield players since his arrival.

Centre back: Vincent Kompany, Manchester City

Longevity: 8/10
Achievement: 10/10
Impact: 10/10

Joined Roy Keane has captained his team to four Premier League titles in 2019 to put himself behind only John Terry on five. It’s no overstatement to say the Belgian colossus has been the heartbeat of the City revolution. Despite a horrid record with injuries, the former Manchester City skipper was unbeatable on his day and was by some distance the defender of the decade. Technically excellent, courageous and an outstanding leader, Kompany’s immaculately timed challenges in his pomp have become a lasting memory of the defensive excellence that has brought balance to City’s attacking artistry. A three-time member of the PFA team of year, the City legend is an iconic figure of not only Manchester City but also the Premier League.

Centre back: Jan Vertonghen, Tottenham

Longevity: 8/10
Achievement: 6/10
Impact: 9/10

Perhaps a surprising selection, there have been few central defenders who have been as consistently reliable as the Spurs man who has been one of the pillars of Mauricio Pochettino’s revolution. A mobile and technically excellent footballer who has been a dogged and uncompromising figure of the Spurs defence alongside Toby Alderweireld for half a decade, their partnership is among the best seen the Premier League this decade.

Although the Belgian has not been able to win the Premier League, his two selections in the PFA team of year as well as his role in Tottenham’s transformation into a contending team this decade makes him a more than worthy selection.

Left midfield: Eden Hazard, Chelsea

Longevity: 8/10
Achievement: 8/10
Impact: 10/10

Possibly the closest thing we will ever see to a Lionel Messi grace the Premier League, the former Chelsea superstar was also an incredibly durable player despite being the most fouled player during his time. His direct and menacing dribbling coupled with his vision and passing made him Chelsea’s talisman throughout his seven years.

A two-time title winner and four-time member of the PFA team of the year, his greatest individual recognition came in 2014-15, when he was the PFA player of the year as his scintillating form led Chelsea to the title. His legacy is cemented in the pantheon of Chelsea greats with the likes of John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne, Chelsea and Manchester City

Longevity: 6/10
Achievement: 9/10
Impact: 10/10

The player whose longevity is most debatable in this team, the Belgian makes up for it with a record of two league titles and a PFA team of year selection 2017-18. Those achievements may seem insignificant on paper, but it’s De Bruyne’s impact since his arrival from Wolfsburg in 2015 that is too great to ignore.

A prodigious technician of the football, the former Chelsea man’s delivery and passing is up there with the very best the Premier League has seen. Additionally, his vision, thrust and courage on the ball in Pep Guardiola’s blue machine has seen him become the talisman at City and a symbol of the manager’s philosophy. He’ll go down as the iconic player of the Guardiola era at Manchester City.

Defensive midfield: N’Golo Kante, Leicester and Chelsea

Longevity: 6/10
Achievement: 10/10
Impact: 10/10

The PFA player of the season in 2016-17 and a two-time member of the PFA team of year, the Frenchman was instrumental in winning back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017 for both Leicester City and Chelsea. A player of immense physical gifts with boundless energy and outstanding durability, Kante’s ferocious pressing and patrolling of the middle of the park has been truly revolutionary when you compare it how the position was played previously.

The Chelsea man does not just put fires out reactively; he is a constant figure of disruption and dynamism as well as being a more technically capable player than is the perception. A measure of just how significant an impact he has had on the English game is the fact that many view the Frenchman as the main driving force behind Leicester’s improbable title victory despite the contributions of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.

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Central midfield: Yaya Toure, Manchester City

Longevity: 7/10
Achievement: 9/10
Impact: 10/10

Not since Patrick Vieira has a central midfielder graced the Premier League with the same aura and chest-thumping authority as Yaya Toure. A player of elegance and power in equal measure, the Ivorian’s deftness of touch and ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck with his barnstorming runs make him a unique figure in Premier League history.

With three EPL titles and two PFA team of the year selections, Toure’s excellence has been reflected with a multitude of team and individual honours. His time under Pep Guardiola may have seen him become a peripheral figure in his final seasons, but his legacy as a bona fide Manchester City legend remains intact.

Right midfield: David Silva, Manchester City

Longevity: 10/10
Achievement: 9/10
Impact: 10/10

The magical Spaniard has been a significant part of the Manchester City spine that has brought unprecedented success to the Etihad Stadium. The creative inspiration for the most watchable and potent attacking force of the decade, Silva’s elusiveness between defensive lines thanks to his acute sense of time and space as well as his masterful passing and vision has seen him become a City legend.

A four-time title winner and two-time PFA team of the year member, the greatest recognition that can be given to the former Valencia star is the fact his name is now considered among the very best midfield names of the Premier League era.

Striker: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City

Longevity: 9/10
Achievement: 9/10
Impact: 10/10

Manchester City’s all-time top goalscorer with 244 goals, the diminutive Argentine striker is in all probability the player of the decade in the Premier League. His consistency has been remarkable despite not having the greatest run with injuries, while his ability as an all-round forward makes him more than just a goalscorer. A vital part of the City spine that has been such a force this decade, Aguero’s excellence under multiple managers and multiple systems in Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola is testament to his greatness and adaptability.

It seems almost an absurd fact that Aguero has only been in the PFA team of the year twice, and it’s even more absurd he never won the Golden Boot. However, a record six-time Premier League player of the month does suggest the ruthless streak that has characterised his Premier League career.

Striker: Harry Kane, Tottenham

Longevity: 7/10
Achievement: 8/10
Impact: 10/10

The only English selection in this team, the Tottenham forwards meteoric rise in 2014-15 seems a long time ago. He has since picked up two Golden Boot awards and been selected in the PFA team of the year four times – and he’s only 26 years old. An intelligent forward with a fine all-round game, Kane’s outstanding technique when striking a ball makes him a threat every time he is in possession.

His cool, calm finishing is befitting of an excellent temperament that has seen Kane develop into a fine leader, which will surely see him become Tottenham’s next captain. Already with 136 Premier League goals and several years ahead of his career, he is well on his way to becoming the all-time top scorer in the premier league.