The age of 30 seems to be the turning point for when a player is considered to be on the decline. Many clubs often hand over 30’s just single year contract extensions, worried about their abilities falling at a rapid rate.
That said, there are several Premier League players who are defying Father Time, continuing to excel at the highest level after reaching that particular birthday landmark.
We’ve decided to compile a side of players who in footballing terms are ‘golden oldies’, thriving at the top of English football in the latter years of their careers.
Here is the Premier League’s best XI of players over 30…
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
The captain of France’s World Cup winning team has been a consistent presence in his seven seasons at Tottenham, establishing himself as one of the finest shot-stoppers in the Premier League.
A commanding presence and quick off his line in his sweeper-keeper role, Lloris also captains Spurs and brings experience and leadership to Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Having tasted the ultimate success on the international stage, the goalkeeper will hope he can lead the North London side to silverware in the coming seasons, with Spurs continuing to push to join England and Europe’s elite.
Right-Back: Seamus Coleman
One of the greatest bargains in Premier League history, Everton signed full-back Coleman for a fee of just £60,000, with the Irish international having provided the Merseyside club with a decade of consistent service.
Quick, hard-working and full of energy, Coleman has been a marauding presence down the flank for Everton, developing a reputation as one of the league’s best in his position.
Now 30, Coleman looks set to take over from the recently-departed Phil Jagielka as club captain for Marco Silva’s side.
Centre-Back: Toby Alderweireld
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 component of Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Signed for just £11.5m from Atletico Madrid following an impressive loan spell at Southampton, Alderweireld is a fine defender who would slot seamlessly into any of the division’s best sides.
Depsite having turned 30, he continues to thrive at the very highest level.
Centre-Back: David Luiz
The big-haired Brazilian divides opinion, but he has played a crucial role in Chelsea’s biggest successes in recent seasons.
Luiz brings personality, confidence, and composure to the backline, whilst the defensive aspects of his game have improved as he has matured.
He thrived in particular under Antonio Conte, playing as the ball-playing defender in a back three as Chelsea secured the Premier League title in 2017.
Still a key figure at the club, Luiz’s experience could prove vital as new manager Frank Lampard looks to bring through the club’s best young talent.
Left-Back: Jan Vertonghen
Stationed at left-back in our side is Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen, who has proven himself as an elite defender since moving to North London from Ajax in 2012.
Comfortable centrally or at full-back, Vertonghen has racked up over 250 appearances for Spurs and was a key figure in the side which reached the final of the Champions League last season.
The archetypal modern ball-playing defender, Vertonghen remains a crucial member of Mauricio Pochettino’s developing Spurs side.
Midfield: Fernandinho
Perhaps the biggest demonstration of Fernandinho’s importance to Manchester City is the effect he has on the side when he’s absent.
The Brazilian holding midfield player is the defensive shield which allows City’s attacking stars to flourish, bringing energy, technique and tactical intelligence to the champions midfield.
He continues to shine as arguably one of Europe’s finest in his position, the 34-year-old having been one of the best players in arguably the Premier League’s greatest ever team.
Midfield: David Silva
The diminutive Spaniard has announced he will leave Manchester City at the end of the coming season, and the news has been greeted with great sadness in the blue half of Manchester.
In nine seasons at the Etihad Silva has established himself as arguably the club’s greatest ever player, the playmaker being the man who made the side tick in four title-winning seasons.
Aged 33 he continues to dictate at the very highest level, and the midfielder will hope to add a fifth league title and perhaps the Champions League to his collection before calling time on his City career.
Midfield: Mesut Ozil
For all his critics (and there are many), few players in the Premier League are blessed with as much natural ability as the Arsenal playmaker.
The German can frustrate with his ability to drift in and out of games, but when in full flight he possesses a vision and passing range which can unlock even the tightest defences.
A five-time winner of the German national team’s Player of the Year award, Ozil is amongst the leading assist providers in the Premier League over the past five seasons.
Forward: Jamie Vardy
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.
The 32-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down, having scored 38 Premier League goals in the past two seasons.
Forward: Sergio Aguero
The Manchester City star remains arguably the most ruthless finisher in the Premier League, continuing to plunder top-flight goals at a prolific rate.
In 2018/19, the Argentine matched Thierry Henry’s record as the only player to have scored more than 20 league goals in five consecutive seasons, with City’s record goalscorer having now scored 231 goals since arriving at the Etihad in 2011.
It may surprise some that Aguero has won just one Premier League Golden Boot since joining City, though he will continue to be amongst the favourites for the honour next season.
Forward: Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang
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 scored 10 goals in his first 13 league appearances for the club, before the forward netted 22 Premier League goals in his first full season to earn a share of the Golden Boot.
Lightening quick and a composed finisher, much of the club’s hopes for next season will be on Aubameyang replicating his recent form.
Read: Picking the best XI of players who cost more than £50 million
Read Also: The 14 players to register 15+ assists in a single Premier League season
