Revealed: Bale shines in Tottenham's team of the decade

Next up in our team of the decade series is last season's Champions League runners' up Tottenham. While the club have no trophies to show for their efforts, Spurs have still impressed over the last 10 years, establishing themselves as one of the most entertaining sides in England under Harry Redknapp, Andre Villas-Boas, Tim Sherwood (briefly!), Mauricio Pochettino and now Jose Mourinho. 

They may have no club winners' medals to speak of, but the first player is a World Cup winning captain... 

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (272 apps) - 6.78 

In this XI by default, but even so; there isn't any solid competition for the spot between the sticks for Hugo Lloris. Signed from Lyon in 2012, the France captain has been a consistent performer in the Tottenham goal following his arrival in London after ousting Brad Friedel is the club's number one. 

94 clean sheets, 2.7 saves per game and 299 goals per conceded is a respectable return for Lloris, who has garnered a WhoScored rating of 6.78 for Tottenham this decade. 

Right-back: Kyle Walker (186 apps) - 7.13 

Tottenham have failed to properly address their right-back woes following Kyle Walker's big money move to Manchester City. Walker established himself as one of the finest full-backs in England in the months prior to his switch to the Etihad Stadium with his 2.4 tackles per game the second best of all Spurs players to make at least 70 league and Champions League appearances this decade. 

1.1 key passes per game was also a fine return for Walker as he pressed forward well when handed the opportunity to do so and he is a worthy inclusion at right-back in this XI. 

Centre-back: Michael Dawson (111 apps) - 7.26 

Signed at the same time as Andy Reid back in 2005, Michael Dawson would go on to establish himself as a first team regular and a fan favourite at Tottenham before his 2014 exit. He could've departed sooner as he found himself out of favour under Andre Villas-Boas, but a move to QPR failed to materialise, and he would go on to enjoy a fine final two years at the club. 

In his 111 Premier League and Champions League appearances, Dawson made more clearances per game (9.7) and won more aerial duels per game (3.7) than any other Tottenham player to return a WhoScored rating of 7.26. 

Centre-back: Jan Vertonghen (243 apps) - 7.16 

Tottenham beat Arsenal to the signing of Jan Vertonghen from Ajax back in 2012 and the Belgian has been a first team regular, injury permitting, following his move to London. Vertonghen's late winner at Wolves on Sunday was his seventh league and Champions League goal for the club, while the 32-year-old has chipped in with an additional six assists. 

Vertonghen ranks third for both clearances (5.7) and aerial duels won per game (2.5), while his 55.4 passes per game comes in at fourth and it has helped earn a WhoScored rating of 7.16. 

Left-back: Benoit Assou-Ekotto (99 apps) - 7.12 

Also making six assists over the last decade, Benoit Assou-Ekotto rounds off the defence with a WhoScored rating of 7.12. The left-back averaged a respectable 2.2 tackles per game across his 99 appearances, while his impressive reading of the game also shone as he averaged more interceptions per game (3.1) than any other Tottenham player to edge out Danny Rose and Ben Davies in this side. 

Central midfield: Christian Eriksen (248 apps) - 7.23 

Christian Eriksen's time at Tottenham is drawing to a close, but the Dane has proven an inspired capture following his arrival from Ajax in 2013. Costing just £11m, Eriksen has gone from strength to strength in north London. 55 goals is the third best return, while 69 assists is more than any other Spurs player over the last 10 years. 

2.6 key passes per game is also more than any other player for the north London side and while his time at the club is ending with a whimper rather than a bang, Eriksen rightly makes this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.23. 

Central midfield: Luka Modric (94 apps) - 7.41 

Luka Modric's departure for Real Madrid in 2012 was a bitter pill to swallow for Tottenham fans. The Croat struggled to assert himself upon his arrival in 2008, but by the time in left, the metronomic midfielder was one of the best in his position in the Premier League. Modric did a bit of everything to keep Spurs ticking over in the middle of the park. 

He ranks third for key passes per game (2.1), third for dribbles per game (1.9), 13th for tackles per game (1.6), third for interceptions per game (2.3) and second for passes per game (60.4). Factor in his 10 goals and nine assists, Modric returned a WhoScored rating of 7.41 from his 94 apps. 

Central midfield: Dele Alli (165 apps) - 7.20  

Injuries have hindered Dele Alli in 2019, but the England international is ending the decade on a high under Jose Mourinho. An inspired capture from MK Dons, Alli has had a direct hand in 91 goals in 165 league and Champions League appearances, netting 51 times in the process, and it's clear that the 23-year-old has excelled on the back of his £5m capture. 

Now back at the forefront of Mourinho's thoughts, supporters will be hoping to see Alli back to his best in a Spurs shirt as he makes the best XI of the decade with a WhoScored rating of 7.20. 

Right wing: Gareth Bale (126 apps) - 7.72 

With a WhoScored rating of 7.72, Gareth Bale is our Spurs player of the decade. The Wales international could yet return to north London, which would be a welcome homecoming on the back of his then-record breaking move to Real Madrid in 2013. Prior to his switch to Los Blancos, Bale was unstoppable in the Premier League and Champions League having netted 44 goals and provided 22 assists in 126 appearances. 

He ranked highly for shots per game (3.3), key passes per game (2.1) and dribbles per game (2.1) to feature in the Spurs team of the decade. 

Striker: Harry Kane (218 apps) - 7.48 

Of the 707 league and Champions League goals Tottenham have scored since the turn of the decade, Harry Kane has netted 154 (21.8%). Very much a household name at the club, Kane continues to break records for the north London side and now their joint-third record goalscorer, it wouldn't be a shock to see him overhaul Jimmy Greaves in the next decade. 

His goals come from an average of 3.8 shots per game, that more than any other Spurs player in the last 10 years, and it's helped Kane return a fine WhoScored rating of 7.48, that second to Bale. 

Left wing: Rafael van der Vaart (70 apps) - 7.26 

Just making this XI with 70 appearances exactly, Rafael van der Vaart's arrival excited Tottenham fans, and then some. The shock of the summer 2010 transfer window, Spurs managed to sneak his signing over the line after being given special dispensation by the Premier League to complete the deal. He was a star signing supporters craved and he very much lived up to the billing for the north London side prior to his move to Hamburg in 2012. 

Indeed, during his time with the club, Van der Vaart scored 26 goals and registered 16 assists in the league and Champions League and ranked second for key passes per game (2.2). It was enough to return a WhoScored rating of 7.26 and make this XI.

Notable omissions...

Mousa Dembele (7.07) - Injuries robbed the Belgian of his best years at the club, but Mousa Dembele was one of the club's most technically gifted players over the last decade, completing more dribbles per game (2.2) than any other Spurs player.

Son Heung-Min (7.01) - A fan favourite at the club, Son has scored 61 goals over the last decade, the second best return of all Spurs players in that time.

Jermain Defoe (6.73) - Returning to the club in 2009, Jermain Defoe may not have had the same impact during his first stint, in north London, but still managed 33 goals and nine assists this decade.