Revealed: De Bruyne shines in Manchester City team of the decade

We've covered Liverpool and Manchester United and attention now turns to the defending Premier League champions Manchester City. There have been plenty of comings and goings at the Etihad Stadium over the last decade in their pursuit for domestic and continental success, but it's a familiar face between the sticks in this XI... 

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart (255 apps) - 6.79 

Joe Hart may have faded into obscurity, but at the turn of the decade, the 32-year-old was considered one of the best goalkeepers in England. Hart was Manchester City's undisputed number one between 2010 and 2016 and made 255 league and Champions League appearances, returning a WhoScored rating of 6.79 in the process. 

Hart kept 102 clean sheets from his 255 outings and averaged a respectable 2.6 saves per game to edge out Ederson in this XI. 

Right-back: Pablo Zabaleta (220 apps) - 7.13 

The first of four Argentines to make our Manchester City team of the decade, Pablo Zabaleta was a consistent face in defence before his 2017 departure. Indeed, the right-back was part of the 2011/12 and 2013/14 Premier League title winning Manchester City sides and helped himself to one FA Cup and two League Cup winners' medals to help land a WhoScored rating of 7.13. 

The right-back averaged more tackles per game (3.3) than any other City player over the last decade and the fan favourite would likely make any City fan's best XI. 

Centre-back: Nicolas Otamendi (160 apps) - 7.19 

Nicolas Otamendi kicked off his time in Manchester poorly, but after an indifferent start to his career with City, he began to improve and remains part of a City side hoping to secure continental glory this season. The centre-back's 4.7 clearances per game ranked fourth of all City players over the last 10 years, with Otamendi's no nonsense approach crucial for the team. 

However, it's his ability on the ball that drew admiration with an average of 68.7 passes per game over the last decade that has helped Otamendi develop a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'passing' and make this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.19. 

Centre-back: Vincent Kompany (259 apps) - 7.15 

It wouldn't quite be a Manchester City team of the decade without Vincent Kompany. The Belgian has endured his injury woes, but was a consistent performer when called upon as his WhoScored rating (7.15) shows. Willing to do all he could to stop opponents from scoring, Kompany would routinely maximise his proactive approach to defending as his average of 5.7 clearances per game suggests, that in itself more than any other City player. 

His final City career defining act came in the home win over Leicester, where his thumping winner all but secured his side the title, and judging by City's sub-par title defence this season, his absence is harder felt than many may have expected. 

Left-back: Gael Clichy (169) - 7.16 

Rounding off the City defence in their team of the decade, largely by default, is Gael Clichy. City have endured their left-back woes in recent years, with the Frenchman the only natural left-back to have made more than 70 league and Champions League appearances for the club this decade. 

Nevertheless, Clichy has averaged more interceptions (2.7) than any other City player this decade, while 2.5 tackles per game is also a commendable return, and it helped him to a WhoScored rating of 7.16. 

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (165 apps) - 7.51 

Our best rated Manchester City player over the last decade with a WhoScored rating of 7.51, the creative Belgian has been a star performer for the champions following his arrival from Wolfburg. Across 165 appearances, Kevin De Bruyne has had a diret hand in 98 goals, providing 64 assists, that in itself the second most of all City players. 

His 2.8 key passes per game has also been better than any other City player with De Bruyne more than deserving his place in this XI. 

Central midfield: Yaya Toure (267 apps) - 7.24 

During his peak years, Yaya Toure was sensational. The Ivorian would dominate midfields as his 89% pass success rate from 68 passes per game across 267 appearances shows. Toure was a creative force to be reckoned with, too, when he got forward as his 69 goals, the third most of all City players in the last 10 years, suggests. 

An additional 36 assists was also a fine return for Toure, who makes this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.24. 

Central midfield: David Silva (350 apps) - 7.33 

David Silva is leaving Manchester City at the end of the season and his exit will signal the departure of one of the most technically gifted players to ever grace the Premier League. In 350 league and Champions League appearances, the Spaniard has provided 99 assists and netted 65 goals. 

2.5 key passes per game is second only to De Bruyne, while 23.5 successful final third passes is more than any other City player, with Silva more than deserving of a spot in this XI having returned a WhoScored rating of 7.33. 

Right wing: Raheem Sterling (188 apps) - 7.33 

Raheem Sterling's Manchester City career started slowly, but he's been nigh on unstoppable since Pep Guardiola took over the Etihad reins. 2.1 successful dribbles per game is the second best of all City players since the start of 2010, as is his 76 goals, with the England star vastly improving in front of goal over the last couple of years. 

All in all, Sterling has been one of the stars of the City side in recent history and that's reflected in his solid WhoScored rating of 7.33.

Striker: Sergio Aguero (308 apps) - 7.41 

Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid, Sergio Aguero has been electrifying in front of goal, netting 244 times, rendering him Manchester City's record goalscorer. Injuries have robbed Aguero of greater playing time at the Etihad Stadium, but that hasn't stopped the Argentine hitman from tearing opponents apart on a whim. 

As one might expect, Aguero has mustered more shots per game (3.7) than any other City player over the last decade, with his highlight undoubtedly his late, late strike in a 3-2 win over QPR to wrestle the 2011/12 Premier League title from Manchester United's grasp. 

Left wing: Carlos Tevez (101 apps) - 7.37 

Carlos Tevez's Manchester City career may have been a turbulent one, with a dispute with Roberto Mancini in 2011 a low point during his time at the Etihad Stadium. Nevertheless, Tevez would always give his all for City both on and off the ball and in his 101 apps for the club, he returned a fine WhoScored rating of 7.37. 

Netting 49 goals from 3.2 shots per game and providing 19 assists from 1.7 key passes per game are solid returns from Tevez, who shone prior to his 2013 move to Juventus. 

Notable Omissions... 

Leroy Sane (7.28) - The German's season is yet to properly start following a knee injury, but the young winger has still scored 31 goals and provided 36 assists from 110 appearances, 28 of which are from the bench. 

Fernandinho (6.81) - A key man at the base of the midfield, which allowed Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva to attack opponents, Fernandinho keeps things ticking over in the middle of the park. His 2.6 tackles per game is second to Zabaleta.