{"id":545873,"date":"2020-04-01T04:00:51","date_gmt":"2020-04-01T08:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=545873"},"modified":"2020-03-29T06:05:38","modified_gmt":"2020-03-29T10:05:38","slug":"team-of-the-decade-manchester-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/04\/01\/team-of-the-decade-manchester-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Team of the Decade: Manchester City"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Last Word On Football\u2019s team of the decade series. Today we take a look at the players and manager who made into the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/clubs\/manchester-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Manchester City<\/a> team. The 2010s are a time Manchester City fans will always remember fondly as the club won the most trophies in England and made their step onto the world stage.<\/p>\n<p>Manchester City took home the Premier League crown four times in the last decade. They also won five Carabao Cup and two FA Cups. The club were also able to set the record for points in a Premier League season when they reached the 100 point mark in 2018. Manchester City have continued their excellence since, already claiming the first Carabao Cup of the 2020s.<\/p>\n<h2>Manchester City Team of the Decade<\/h2>\n<h3>Manager &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/b21fe2db\/Pep-Guardiola?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pep Guardiola<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Picking Pep Guardiola as the manager is probably the easiest choice. Guardiola has surpassed the magnificent exploits of Manuel Pellegrini and <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/65fd260b\/Roberto-Mancini?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Roberto Mancini<\/a> by asserting a dominant style of football at Manchester City. His teams have won more titles and games while also scoring more goals than either previous managers.<\/p>\n<h3>Formation &#8211; 4-2-3-1<\/h3>\n<h3>Goalkeeper &#8211; Ederson<\/h3>\n<p>It&#8217;s a real toss-up between <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/cb4f24c6\/Joe-Hart?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Hart<\/a> and Ederson for the goalkeeper position. Both have played instrumental roles in capturing City\u2019s trophies from the decade, but Ederson is the choice because Guardiola is the manager, and Guardiola made it clear when he took the helm at Manchester City that he needed someone besides Hart.<\/p>\n<h3>Right Back &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/6813ac34\/Pablo-Zabaleta?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pablo Zabaleta<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>How could you not love Pablo Zabaleta? The Manchester City right-back was everything one could expect from Argentine football. Aggressive, powerful, a mix of bravado and class; Zabaleta was the type of player to go in studs up on an ankle only to kiss the player\u2019s forehead immediately afterwards.<\/p>\n<h3>Centre Back &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/119b9a8e\/Aymeric-Laporte?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aymeric Laporte<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>When Aymeric Laporte arrived from Athletic Bilbao, Manchester City\u2019s defence completely changed. He\u2019s an excellent defender in every category, but it\u2019s his distribution that makes him so valuable to Manchester City. Having such a cool head in possession makes him so valuable to this team.<\/p>\n<h3>Centre Back &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/d2bff301\/Vincent-Kompany?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vincent Kompany<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>As if there would be anyone else but Captain Kompany. The 6\u20194\u201d Belgian was at the heart of every Manchester City triumph in the last ten years. His full-blooded style and charismatic approach have made him a fan favourite for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n<h3>Left Back &#8211; Aleksandar Kolarov<\/h3>\n<p>Manchester City has had a few different left-backs over the last decade, none of whom brought the touch and character of the Serbian Aleksandar Kolarov. Kolarov has a world-class left-foot. He still bangs in wonderful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jOUMdFhL8kk\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">free-kicks <\/a>for Italian club Roma.<\/p>\n<h3>Defensive Midfielder &#8211; Fernandinho<\/h3>\n<p>Nobody on this team has changed their game more during their time at City than Fernandinho. The Brazilian midfielder came into the Premier League as a rough midfielder and continues today as an elegant passing centre-back. In between, Fernandinho became one of the best defensive midfield maestros the Premier League has ever seen.<\/p>\n<h3>Defensive Midfielder &#8211;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/c204f844\/Yaya-Toure?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yaya Toure<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>There have been few Premier League players who had as much class on the ball as Yaya Toure. The Ivorian was big and strong while possessing a touch as good as gold. His standout memory will always be the 2013\/14 season. He scored 20 Premier League goals while leading Manchester City to the title.<\/p>\n<h3>Right Attacking Midfielder &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/b400bde0\/Raheem-Sterling?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Raheem Sterling<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Raheem Sterling makes the list for being one of the most explosive wingers in world football. The diminutive Englishman can beat almost anyone one-on-one, but over his time at City, he has made great strides in his reading of the game, his awareness and link-up play &#8211; all of which makes him perfectly suited for Pep Guardiola and his style.<\/p>\n<h3>Central Attacking Midfielder &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/e46012d4\/Kevin-De-Bruyne?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin De Bruyne<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Manchester City\u2019s second world-class Belgian of the decade, Kevin De Bruyne never ceases to amaze. Since arriving from Wolfsburg, De Bruyne has had more than ten assists in all competitions in five consecutive seasons. However, it&#8217;s the touch and dynamism with which he operates that makes him so unforgettable.<\/p>\n<h3>Left Attacking Midfielder &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/e2716bd0\/David-Silva?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Silva<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>David Silva is waiting on the chance to finish a decade of delighting Manchester City fans. So naturally, he is a no brainer in this team. He has been no question one of the most enjoyable players to watch in this past decade of English football. To his credit, he has allowed ageing to change how he plays in a way that is still as enjoyable to watch. City fans will miss you, El Mago.<\/p>\n<h3>Striker &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/4d034881\/Sergio-Aguero?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sergio Aguero<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Sergio Aguero is already one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history. The Argentine is at the heart of so many amazing Manchester City memories. Aguero is one of the rare sports superstars where a single moment dwarfs just how amazing he is. We\u2019re talking about the most prolific foreign goalscorer in Premier League history. It only takes one goal in the 94th minute to create admiration that lasts much longer than any decade.<\/p>\n<h3>Substitutes<\/h3>\n<p>Joe Hart, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/86dd77d1\/Kyle-Walker?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Walker<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/e9c7102a\/Martin-Demichelis?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Demichelis<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/165bed61\/Samir-Nasri?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Samir Nasri<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/3bb7f478\/Edin-Dzeko?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Edin Dzeko<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/2f90f6b8\/James-Milner?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Milner<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1150126792\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1150126792?et=PQvYBq8ZTFZ0ZUBfc2oq8w&amp;tld=co.uk&amp;sig=doiB6qTcntB89qfmfItjwqZ_0dFnj02q45wU-rsvBfE=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Last Word On Football\u2019s team of the decade series. Today we take a look at the players and manager who made into the Manchester City team. The 2010s are a time Manchester City fans will always remember fondly as the club won the most trophies in England and made their step onto the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2573,"featured_media":547191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,2,3],"tags":[971,2990,387,2880,385,471,100,5031,181,386,377,5020,514,136,1109],"class_list":["post-545873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-manchester-city","category-featured","category-premier-league","tag-aleksandar-kolarov","tag-aymeric-laporte","tag-david-silva","tag-ederson","tag-fernandinho","tag-kevin-de-bruyne","tag-manchester-city","tag-pablo-zabaleta","tag-pep-guardiola","tag-raheem-sterling","tag-sergio-aguero","tag-team-of-the-decade","tag-vincent-kompany","tag-world-football","tag-yaya-toure"],"modified_by":"Nat Goodlad, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/545873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2573"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=545873"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/545873\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/547191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=545873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=545873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=545873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}