Next season is the 25th of the Premier League era.
Over the years, the league has grown in its popularity.
Back in the beginning, in its first few seasons, some of us had to watch the football on M-Net open time.
And it was only the big teams that got the coverage - Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and maybe a Blackburn and Newcastle game.
Nowadays, things have changed with Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham also in the running for titles.
All those teams have had some of the best players to grace the game.
And here I’ll pick my favourite XI from the era.
This is not an all-time great list of the players who have won the most titles, but the stars who lit up the game for me.
Goalkeeper
Jens Lehmann - Arsenal
Mad Jens had some moerse gloves to fill when Arsene Wenger signed him to replace David Seaman.
But the German goalkeeper made a massive impact in an Arsenal side that would go on to win the league without losing a single game.
His kop would also hak uit every now and again, like when he and Didier Drogba fell around like loslappies trying to get each other sent off.
Honourable mentions: Peter Schmeichel, David Seaman, Petr Cech.
Centreback
Rio Ferdinand - West Ham, Leeds United, Manchester United
Part of the spine of a Manchester United side that won three titles in a row, Rio was tough and elegant. He didn’t need to slide in, he could just rob you of the ball by anticipating your next move. Strong in the air and confident on the ball, Ferdinand was the right guy to keep the defence calm when the pressure was on.
Honourable mention: Sol Campbell, Jaap Stam, Kolo Toure.
Centreback
John Terry - Chelsea
You need a warrior at the back, a leader and a legend. Look no further than JT.
The Chelsea captain was the epitome of his team - determined and taai, with the ability to win at will.
A true Blue blood in Premier League royalty, Terry was one of the rocks that the west London side have built their success on over the last decade.
Honourable mentions: Tony Adams, Nemanja Vidic, Jamie Carragher.
Rightback
Gary Neville - Man United
A BRAVE fighter in defence, Neville kept the United right flank clear of danger. The United captain kept many a winger in his pocket. And he could terrorise his opposite number when he got forward. He never shied away from a fight either.
Honourable mentions: Lauren, Branislav Ivanovic, Bacary Sagna.
Leftback
Ashley Cole - Arsenal, Chelsea
Cole was head and shoulders above the rest of the crop, winning titles with Arsenal and Chelsea. Having played as a striker in his youth days, the England man also knew how to score goals, pushing forward with the same ease as in defence.
Honourable mentions: John-Arne Riise, Ian Harte, Leighton Baines.
Central midfield
Patrick Vieira - Arsenal, Man City
There always has to be a bully in the team. And no one could bully and boss a midfield like Patrick Vieira in his prime. As Arsenal captain, the big Frenchman would stick it to their rivals and let them know wie’s baas. Pat would tackle as hard as anyone and won the majority of his battles, whether he was on the edge of his own box or in the middle of the pitch. And he could set up teammates as well as score. Everyone needs an enforcer and he was the best of the best.
Honourable mentions: Roy Keane, Claude Makelele, Ngolo Kante.
Central midfield
Steven Gerrard - Liverpool
THIS was probably the toughest position to pick. There have been many star men in the midfield. But Stevie G has to be the man. Forget the fact that he never won the Premier League, he is a legend. His 120 goals from midfield were crackers. And he would inspire his team like no other figure in the league. He never stopped running and always played for glory. If anyone epitomised English football, it is Gerrard.
Honourable mentions: Paul Scholes, Cesc Fabregas, Frank Lampard.
Left midfielder
Ryan Giggs - Manchester United
Football changed a lot during Ryan Giggs’ time in the Premier League, all 22 years. Wingers changed from touchline-hugging crossers, into inverted wingers who cut in or roamed freely to join the attack. But in Giggs’ heyday, he would rip teams to ribbons down his left wing with mazy runs and set up his strikers with pinpoint accuracy. He also won the title 13 times.
Honourable mentions: Robert Pires, David Ginola, Eden Hazard, David Silva.
Right midfielder
Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United
THERE can only be one Cristiano. Before he became the goalscorer supreme at Real Madrid, CR7 was a maergat laaitie with the stepovers - klomp stepovers. He was exciting to watch and scared defenders with his pace and tricks. Then he started to add goals to his game - a vrag goals. And by the time he left the Premier League, he was the only man to win the Ballon d’Or while playing in England. Not bad for a £12m signing.
Honourable mentions: David Beckham, Freddie Ljungberg.
Striker
Thierry Henry - Arsenal
Up until Thierry Henry came along, there was nothing like him in the Premier League. He was fast, he was deadly and he was confident. When Henry was at the top of his game, no one was going to stop him. Either he’d score with his trademark goal - cutting in from the left to slide the ball into the far post - or he’d find some other way. How about a header at the near post, a floating freekick, a flick and a volley or a bullet. Sometimes he’d just run through the entire team. Who cares. He just scored goals.
Honourable mentions: Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez, Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona.
Striker
Didier Drogba - Chelsea
There are strikers who score great goals - like Henry, Roo and Suarez. And then you get great goalscorers. These manne are machines who get goals at will, by hook or by crook. And Drogba was that guy. Powerful in the box, in the air with that knack to get the ball in the net. The Ivorian was a defender’s worst nightmare. He would fight you for alles and he’d be the obvious choice when the balls were hit long. Ja, he’d kill you if you slipped up. And he’d do it in the big games too.
Honourable mentions:
Alan Shearer, Harry Kane, Diego Costa and Ruud van Nistelrooy.