Growing up in America, the sports that took up most of my attention were basketball and American football. People ask me all the time what made me start to follow and enjoy the Premier League?

The answer, fantasy sports, but more specifically Draft Fantasy. The ability to be able to play in a league with my friends and not have to focus all of my attention on one team gave me more freedom to fall in love with the players, the sport, the culture and not one specific team.

There is no team that I hate, and there is no team that I absolutely love (but if I had to pick one, it would be Spurs. Eriksen’s passing is a thing of beauty).

Christian Eriksen Love for EPL

Christian Eriksen, Spurs Midfielder

Two years ago, Premier League football meant nothing to me. Now I find myself invested all year long. When the season ends I relive the amazing moments with videos and stats as I get ready for the new season to begin (37 days for anyone that’s wondering).

I followed along all last season with not just my own players, but the entire league’s. How could I make trades without knowing all of the players?

I have a group of 10 friends and we all get up early and watch the games. 6 a.m. in the states, that’s Premier League time to us.

See More: Draft Party in the USA

FPL Draft has connected my friends and I to this amazing sport, and I could not be happier.

This season, I’m looking forward to having some players from my team last year, but also completely different players. Drafting different players from last year will further expand my knowledge of the league as well as the sport.

Not only do I pay attention to the Premier League, but football all over the world has caught my eye.

Now, I find myself up until 3 a.m. every night watching football highlight after highlight. I am mesmerized by the amazing goals and skills of all of the players. Have you seen Lukaku’s 11th-minute hat trick? I can’t even run a mile in 11 minutes.

Romelu Lukaku Love for EPL

Romelu Lukaku, Everton Forward

I have absolutely fallen in love with the sport. I can’t wait for this season to get started and to be able to draft my very own team again.

So take it from me, an American, football is an amazing sport and the Premier League is the best league in the world.

Good luck to all the other managers this season.

-Andrew