Harry Diamond
Premier League footballers are perhaps playing longer than ever before given the sports science available to modern professionals, but there remains a preconception that players over the age of 30 are often on the decline.
This group of players, however, proves that age is simply just a number and continue to perform at the very highest level on a weekly basis, our dream side of golden oldies a team many would tip to challenge towards the top of the division.
Here is our best Premier League XI of players aged 30 or over:
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris – Tottenham
The captain of France’s World Cup winning team just two years ago, Lloris has been a consistent presence in his eight seasons at Tottenham, establishing himself as one of the finest shot-stoppers in the Premier League.
Lloris provides a commanding presence and his leadership is evident as captain for both club and country, and whilst not adverse to the odd clanger, remains a reliable goalkeeper and fine exponent of the sweeper-keeper role.
Having tasted the ultimate success on the international stage, the goalkeeper will hope he can lead the north London side to silverware, with Spurs hoping to challenge for elusive major honours under the guidance of Jose Mourinho in the coming campaigns.
Right-back: Kyle Walker – Manchester City
A recent inclusion to the Premier League’s list of 30+ stars, Kyle Walker remains one of the division’s best full-backs despite approaching the latter end of a hugely successful career.
The England international has lost none of his characteristic athleticism as he continues to maraud down the right for Manchester City, in addition to adding different aspects to his game including tucking into Pep Guardiola’s midfield to create overloads.
Despite a dip in performances and some ill-advised lockdown antics he remains a first-choice for one of Europe’s finest sides and will hope to reclaim his international place during this week’s Nations League fixtures with England.
Centre-back: Thiago Silva – Chelsea
Thiago Silva arrives in the Premier League this season and the centre-back earns an instant inclusion in this XI, the Brazilian international having been regarded as one of the world’s best defenders for more than a decade.
Can’t wait, @TSilva3! 🤩#OhhThiagoSilva pic.twitter.com/LwcZkzRels
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 28, 2020
Despite swiftly approaching his 36th birthday, it caused surprise that Paris Saint-Germain allowed the experienced star to depart on a free transfer for Chelsea, Silva having produced a series of commanding performances as the Parisians reached a maiden Champions League final last season.
He may not quite be the t our-de-force of old, but his indisputable pedigree places him at the heart of our defence.
Centre-back: Toby Alderweireld – Tottenham
The Belgian international has been a mainstay at the heart of the Tottenham defence in recent seasons, with his astute defending and ability to pick passes from deep making him a key figure for the north London outfit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C24DaJaqWzE
Signed for just £11.5m from Atletico Madrid following an impressive loan spell at Southampton, that fee has proven to be a bargain as Alderweireld has thrived during his five-year spell with Spurs.
The 31-year-old remains an important figure for both club and country as a new era is ushered in under Jose Mourinho, whilst he is swiftly approaching a century of caps for the Belgium national side.
Left-back: Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea
Shifted to left-back in our XI is Chelsea’s dependable club captain, Azplicueta having been a fine servant for the west London side since signing from Marseille eight years ago.
The Spaniard is comfortable at both full-back and centrally and remains one of the club’s most consistent performers, as well as providing leadership to an emerging side under the guidance of Frank Lampard.
Part of two title-winning sides since moving to English football, the 31-year-old will be eyeing more silverware this season following an exciting summer of recruitment at Stamford Bridge.
Midfield: Fernandinho – Manchester City
Fernandinho continues to shine as one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants at Manchester City, the veteran having been utilised in an unfamiliar centre-back role for much of last season as the Spaniard sought to find solidity in his suspect backline.
The Brazilian had previously played his football as a holding midfielder and provided the defensive shield to allow City’s attacking stars to flourish, bringing energy, technique and tactical intelligence to the club’s engine room.
He signed a new one-year extension to his deal earlier this year and continues to shine in one of European football’s finest sides, emphasising the evergreen qualities of a player who turned 35 in May.
Midfield: Jordan Henderson – Liverpool
Jordan Henderson will forever be remembered as the captain who lifted Liverpool‘s drought-breaking 19th league title, the midfielder having enjoyed the best season of his career as the leader of Jurgen Klopp’s record-breaking side.
The 30-year-old has spent much of his career proving a point to his doubters and is now beginning to receive the plaudits his selfless style deserves, being named as the FWA Footballer of the Year following his performances during the 2019/20 campaign.
Tenacious in the tackle and the heartbeat of Liverpool’s industrious style, the Reds are a far worse side when he is absent, a testament to a player now reaping the rewards for his drive and dedication.
Right-wing: Willian – Arsenal
Arsenal had no doubts about handing free agent Willian a three-year contract this summer following the winger’s performances for Chelsea last season, the Brazilian enjoying a fine individual campaign with nine goals and a further seven assists.
He departs Chelsea having spent seven successful seasons at Stamford Bridge and won a wealth of major honours including two league titles, in addition to twice being named as the club’s Player of the Season.
Willian’s trademark work-rate and creativity has shown no signs of diminishing despite his advancing years, however, with Arsenal confident they have picked up a bargain as Mikel Arteta continues his rebuild at the Emirates.
Left-wing: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal
Signed from Borussia Dortmund for a club-record fee in 2018, the Gabonese frontman has justified the hefty outlay by scoring prolifically since arriving in north London.
The Arsenal star won the Premier League’s Golden Boot during his first full season at the Emirates and finished just one goal short of retaining the accolade last time around, with no player in the division having scored more goals than Aubameyang since his arrival in English football.
Lightening quick and a devastating finisher, the 31-year-old has flourished amid the responsibility of the captain’s armband at Arsenal and remains the key figure in the club’s hopes of returning to the Champions League.
Forward: Jamie Vardy – Leicester
A constant menace to top-flight defences even into his 30’s, Vardy’s pace and movement continues to frighten even the Premier League’s leading defenders.
The hero in Leicester’s shock Premier League title triumph in 2016, Vardy stayed loyal to the Foxes amongst interest from bigger clubs and continues to be their focal point under Brendan Rodgers.
Last season saw the 33-year-old join the Premier League’s exclusive ‘100 club‘ after racking up a century of top flight goals for the Foxes, his landmark moment coming in a season that saw him finish as the division’s leading scorer to claim a maiden Golden Boot.
Forward: Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
The Manchester City star remains arguably the most ruthless finisher in the Premier League, continuing to plunder goals at a phenomenal rate for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Happy 32nd birthday to Manchester City's all-time top goal-scorer (254), the highest non-English scorer in Premier League history (180) and the player with the record for most hat-tricks in Premier League history (12).
Happy birthday, @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/zZy3dtCNgT
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 2, 2020
Aguero eclipsed Thierry Henry as the highest-scoring non-English player in Premier League history last season with a stunning hat-trick against Aston Villa, a treble which also means he has now scored more Premier League hat-tricks than any other player.
Only three players have ever scored more goals than Aguero in the Premier League era and the Argentine will have his sights set on reaching a historic 200 league goals this coming season, the 32-year-old boasting the best goal-per-game ratio of any player to have reached a century of goals alongside the aforementioned Henry and Harry Kane.
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