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Newcastle United’s 2010-2019 Defender of the Decade

By Carson A Merk

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Fabricio Coloccini of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St James' Park on December 19, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Fabricio Coloccini of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St James' Park on December 19, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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We discuss the best defender in the past ten years for Newcastle United.

Last week, we looked at the best goalkeeper of this decade for Newcastle United. Today, we analyze and select the best defender from 2010-19.

Top Candidates (stats with the first team from the 2010-11 season to now)

Fabricio Coloccini: 197 appearances, five goals, one assist, and 44 (EPL only) clean sheets

Paul Dummett: 182 appearances, three goals, one assist, and 27 (EPL only) clean sheets

Jamaal Lascelles: 149 appearances, nine goals, three assists, and 24 (EPL only) clean sheets

Danny Simpson: 97 appearances, one goal, six assists, and 22 (EPL only) clean sheets

Steven Taylor: 190 appearances, five goals, two assists, and 13 (EPL only) clean sheets

Mike Williamson: 155 appearances, two goals, five assists, and 33 (EPL only) clean sheets

Expert Picks

Carson A. Merk: Fabricio Coloccini

Just like my selection of Tim Krul for GK of the Decade, I don’t think this decision was a very difficult one. Coloccini played so many matches for the club during the 2010s and was not just a good player but an elite one. He was named to the 2011-12 PFA Team of the Year and served as club captain for multiple seasons during this decade.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Fabricio Coloccini of Newcastle United and Didier Drogba of Chelsea compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James’ Park on December 6, 2014 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Fabricio Coloccini of Newcastle United and Didier Drogba of Chelsea compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James’ Park on December 6, 2014 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

He was such a steady player with smooth skills on the ball and the ability to distribute from the backline before he departed in 2016. He also paired well with both the aforementioned Taylor and Williamson.

Durim Halimi: Fabricio Coloccini

I had to think about this selection for a little bit, but my choice for Defender of the Decade is the former Argentine international defender Fabricio Coloccini. His long, curly hair was one reason he made my list, but his contribution on the back-line is unmatched by any other defender in this decade.

Next. Can Newcastle manage without Saint-Maximin for a month?. dark

Yes, Newcastle United had defenders who were more talented and found ways to contribute more offensively, but Coloccini’s confrontational style of play and ability to lead by example led to collective success in the back. Coloccini was a reliable defender who was always willing to put his body on the line several times in a black and white shirt. His reliability in the back is also reflected in the fact that the Magpies claimed 44 clean sheets with him in the lineup, which is the most of any Newcastle United defender this decade.