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It's been a rough decade for Leeds United.

The 2010s represent the first decade in the club's 100-year history that Leeds haven't spent a season in the top-flight, but despite the tough times, United have had some fantastic players through this period.

Join us on a trip down memory lane as we create our Leeds United Team of the Decade.

[snack_break title="Goalkeeper – Kasper Schmeichel"]

Leeds United have struggled with their goalkeepers since 2010 as it seems as if they've had a new number one every other year.

The likes of Paddy Kenny, Kiko Casilla, Andy Lonergan and Bailey Peacock-Farrell have all had stints as United's first-choice goalie, but you can't deny that Kasper Schmeichel is the most talented keeper to play for Leeds over the past ten years.

His impact at Elland Road wasn't incredible, but he's undoubtedly the pick of the bunch over this past decade, and after going on to win the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016 he's got to be considered one of the most successful players to pass through Elland Road.

[snack_break title="Right-back – Sam Byram"]

Sam Byram may have left Leeds when he was only 23 years old, but he was incredible during his short time at Elland Road. He was consistently efficient in defence, winning 1.5 and 1.7 tackles per game during 2013/14 and 2014/15.

The defender had his career affected by a string of injuries, but the hype that surrounded Byram during his teenage years was huge and for good reason.

The current Norwich City man was brilliant for the Whites making 143 appearances by the age of 23.

[snack_break title="Centre-back – Liam Cooper"]

Current club captain Liam Cooper has more than earnt his place in this team.

The Scotland international is currently halfway through his sixth season at Leeds, and he just seems to keep getting better and better.

The arrival of Marcelo Bielsa seemed to be the turning point for Cooper as he made the PFA's Championship Team of the Year last term and has since been a key part of Leeds' team this term, winning 4.3 aerial duels per game.

[snack_break title="Centre-back – Pontus Jansson"]

Leeds fans may not love him after he joined Brentford in the summer, but Pontus Jansson was undoubtedly one of the club's best defenders this decade.

The Swede made the Championship Team of the Season on two separate occasions, and he was the definition of a cult hero as his performances sparked one of the most memorable chants the terraces at Elland Road have heard over the past ten years.

[snack_break title="Left-back – Charlie Taylor"]

Leeds haven't been blessed with incredible left-backs in the 2010s, but it's fair to say that Charlie Taylor has been the pick of the bunch.

The York-born defender made over 100 appearances for the Whites after graduating from the academy, and he's now a Premier League stalwart for Burnley after appearing in all 38 of the Clarets' matches last season.

[snack_break title="Right-midfield – Pablo Hernandez"]

Robert Snodgrass may feel rather unlucky to not grab the right-midfield spot in this side, but it's impossible to overlook the two-time Player of the Year winner.

Hernandez was Leeds' best player in their most successful season of this decade, and for that reason, he makes this team.

We can't say much about the Spaniard that hasn't already been said, he's an incredible technician and an absolute delight to watch whenever he steps onto the pitch. Last term he contributed to 24 goals.

[snack_break title="Centre-midfield – Kalvin Phillips"]

We really can't look past the Yorkshire Pirlo for this spot.

Phillips is the epitome of what Leeds United are all about having come through the academy as a boyhood fan, and he has all the talent in the world.

He's been linked with moves to the Premier League and touted for a spot in the England team, but no matter where his career takes him he will always have a special place in the heart of every United supporter.

[snack_break title="Centre-midfield – Lewis Cook"]

The other central midfield spot in this team could have gone to a number of players.

The likes of Mateusz Klich, who scored ten times last season, Jonny Howson and Bradley Johnson all have claims to be in this side, but it's Cook who steps in alongside Phillips.

The midfielder is the only man in this team to earn an England cap in the past decade, and while he wasn't at Leeds for that long he showed enough during his time at the club to earn a place in this side. In his final term, he made 1.1 key passes and also registered a solitary shot each outing on average.

[snack_break title="Left-midfield – Max Gradel"]

Max Gradel may not be the best player to have played for Leeds over the past decade, but he's got a good case to be considered the most entertaining.

The pacy winger was a joy to watch during his time at Elland Road, and his 2010/11 season in which he netted 18 league goals from the wing may be the best single campaign that any Leeds player had over the past decade.

[snack_break title="Striker – Ross McCormack"]

On his day, Ross McCormack was the best player in the Championship while he was at Leeds United.

The Scotland international was the division's top goalscorer during his last season at the Yorkshire club, and he's the only player to have received a 10/10 rating from Phil Hay during his 15-year spell as the chief football writer for the Yorkshire Evening Post.

[snack_break title="Striker – Chris Wood"]

Some of you may have expected to see Jermaine Beckford or Luciano Becchio in this spot, but when you weigh it all up it's really hard to look past Chris Wood.

Another Championship Golden Boot winner, the New Zealand international was sensational for the Whites, netting 41 goals in 83 league games. It's a mammoth task to keep Beckford or Becchio out of this spot, but Wood just about edges it.

[snack_break title="Manager – Marcelo Bielsa"]

Marcelo Bielsa looks out onto pitch

Could it have been anyone else?

The Argentine has been a revelation since joining Leeds last summer as he led them to their best league finish of the decade. He's already a legend at the club, and the best may be yet to come.

[snack_break title="The team"]

And there we have it.

It's been a turbulent decade for the Whites, and to be honest, it's one the fans may not look back on too fondly, but there have been some cracking players to play for the Elland Road outfit, and our team looks pretty mouth-watering to say the least.

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