Peter Crouch picks his team of the decade
IT’S the final Saturday of the decade, so what better time to reflect on the 10 years just gone?
I wanted to make this week’s column a bit different and look back on the highs and lows I’ve experienced in football — and pay tribute to the individuals who have redefined the game we love.
I’ve chosen my favourite goals — the ones I’ve seen and some that I have scored — and chosen a combined Premier League team from those whom I have played against. It wasn’t easy to put together but here goes…
MY BEST MOMENTS
Back in 2010, I was part of a Tottenham team that was on the rise under Harry Redknapp and we started the decade by qualifying for the Champions League. That run was full of great adventures and when I scored a goal in the San Siro to beat AC Milan it was an amazing feeling.
The enjoyment didn’t stop once I moved to Stoke and it was a privilege to be involved in the club’s first European campaign. We were proud to be a consistent mid-table team in the Premier League and we had some great days at the Bet365 Stadium, not least beating Liverpool 6-1 in 2015.
THE WORST MOMENTS…
It’s impossible to be involved in this sport without going through bad times. I began the decade being given the No 9 shirt at the 2010 World Cup but it was such a disappointing experience and I barely kicked a ball in South Africa. My England career ended soon after.
To go through relegation with Stoke in 2018 was awful. There are so many ramifications when a team drops out of a division and that really hurt everyone involved. The final one has to be my decision to retire earlier this year. It was the right thing to do but it was still a painful call to make.
TOP THREE GOALS I SCORED
1. Header for Tottenham v Manchester City, May 2010.
I was only four yards out and reacting to a rebound but the impact of that header for the club was enormous. It was effectively a ‘winner-takes-all’ game at the Etihad and took Spurs into the Champions League for the first time.
2. Volley for Stoke v Manchester City, March 2012.
From the moment the ball left my right foot, I knew it was going in. My abiding memory of it is of a shocked Tony Pulis running up the touchline, waving his baseball cap up and down in celebration shouting, ‘ Oh f****** hell!’ repeatedly.
3. Header for Stoke v Preston, August 2018.
It’s not one you might have seen but this header, at Deepdale, was very special. It was the final one I scored in league football and took me to 200 career goals. It was a nice milestone to hit.
TOP THREE GOALS I SAW
1. Gareth Bale: Real Madrid v Liverpool, May 2018.
It was nice to see that all those lessons I gave Gareth about overhead kicks when we were together at Tottenham eventually paid off. To do what he did in a Champions League final, minutes after coming on, was just insane. What a goal.
2. Lionel Messi: Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao, June 2015.
He’s scored that many I could devote a section to him on his own but this twisting, turning 60-yard run that carried him past four defenders in the Copa del Rey final was out of this world. He’s from another planet.
3. Olivier Giroud: Arsenal v Crystal Palace, January 2017.
I had to include this. The move that created the chance was breathtaking but the nonchalance of the finish was ridiculous: a scorpion volley from 10 yards. Incredible. TEAM OF THE DECADE
I MUST stress this is purely devoted to players I played against in the Premier League. I’m playing 4-3-3 and don’t think it would do too badly!
WHY I CHOSE THIS XI...
De Gea was Manchester United’s Player of the Season for four years on the trot. His consistency was incredible. His position as the best in the Premier League is under threat from Alisson Becker at Liverpool and Ederson at Manchester City but you cannot forget how good he was.
The defence speaks for itself. It’s a good job Terry and Kompany were never a partnership as nobody would have scored against them, while the forwards were easy to pick. Midfield was the hardest choice but there is nothing those three cannot do. What a combination they would make.
MANAGER OF THE DECADE PEP GUARDIOLA
The decade might not be ending how he wants it to but let’s just remember everything he has done over the past 10 years: winning five of the last six trophies in England, eight out of nine domestic trophies with Bayern Munich and creating football from the gods with Barcelona.
In 2011, his Barcelona team produced one of the greatest performances in a Champions League final against Manchester United. His teams have changed the way we think about football and his influence has been incredible.
PLAYER OF THE DECADE LIONEL MESSI
There will come a point soon when I go to watch him play in a stadium live again. I don’t know how much longer he will go on for but all I can say is that if you get the chance to see him somewhere other than on TV, take it. There will never be another like him.
HOPES FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS
Liverpool to win the Premier League
I think my first wish is going to be realised this spring. I want Liverpool to win the title and nothing will stop them this season. I said a couple of weeks ago that they will soon be building a statue of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield and I stand by that statement.
England to win a major tournament
I feel we are getting closer and wouldn’t it be wonderful if Gareth Southgate’s squad gave us a golden summer at the European Championship next year? For now, we can dream. If you agree or disagree, I look forward to your feedback. Happy New Year to you all.