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Newcastle United’s 2010-2019 Player of the Decade

By Carson A Merk

PAISLEY, SCOTLAND - JULY 30: Papiss Cisse of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the first goal of the evening with Fabricio Coloccini during the Pre Season Friendly match between St Mirren and Newcastle United at St Mirren Park on July 30, 2013 in Paisley, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
PAISLEY, SCOTLAND - JULY 30: Papiss Cisse of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the first goal of the evening with Fabricio Coloccini during the Pre Season Friendly match between St Mirren and Newcastle United at St Mirren Park on July 30, 2013 in Paisley, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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We’ve broken down each position group, but who is the best player overall from this decade for Newcastle United?

It’s officially the final days of 2019 and of this decade. We’ve selected the Goalkeeper of the Decade, Defender of the Decade, Midfielder of the Decade, and Forward of the Decade, along with Manager of the Decade. Now, of all the players from 2010 to 2019, we choose the Newcastle United Player of the Decade.

Top Candidates

Co-Goalkeepers of the Decade Tim Krul and Martin Dubravka

Defender of the Decade Fabricio Coloccini

Co-Midfielders of the Decade Moussa Sissoko and Yohan Cabaye

Forward of the Decade Papiss Cisse

Expert Picks

Carson A. Merk: Fabricio Coloccini

Man, I didn’t realize how tough this would be when we came up with this honor. I was stuck between the trio of Coloccini, Tim Krul, and Papiss Cisse. All three played key roles for Newcastle United during some solid seasons early this decade. I’d give the honorable mention to Cisse for his big goals in big matches, but the Argentine defender gets the nod here for me.

The reason I went with Coloccini was how well-regarded he was in English soccer as a whole. Not only was he a star and loved on Tyneside, but he also was recognized on the PFA Team of the Year. The reliable defender helped create an identity of staunch defending for the Magpies during the 2010s.

More from Newcastle Toons

Durim Halimi: Papiss Cisse

Selecting the best player of the decade is a difficult task, but in the end I went with Papiss Cisse. The Senegalese international was one of those players fans could get excited about, and he was one of only a few Newcastle United strikers fans could count on to score in double figures. Cisse was a dynamic striker who created chances for himself and scored goals that would catch opposing keepers off guard quite frequently.

He scored some meaningful goals for Newcastle United in the Premier League and in the Europa League. Cisse was one of the most athletic strikers to ever put on a black and white jersey, and in my eyes he is in the same category, in terms of quality and statistics, as Craig Bellamy and Michael Owen. All in all, Cisse was a special striker and Newcastle United were fortunate to have him in their squad for five seasons.