OUR WEEKLY ROUND-UP OF THE BEST BOOT-SPOTTING ACTION FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE.
Didier Drogba (Chelsea) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX
Didier Drogba’s first Premier League goal since his return to Chelsea was scored (albeit with his head) wearing the “Neo Lime" Nike Mercurial Vapor IX ’98 Fast Forward boots. The Chelsea no.11 has been in and out of the Mercurial Superfly IV, Vapor X and the Vapor IX since his return to the Premier League. After scoring the opening goal at Old Trafford we’d bet on him sticking with his Vapor IX’s for a good run of games now.
Carlos Tevez (Juventus) Nike Tiempo Legend V
Carlos Tevez has moved on from his blacked-out Magista Obra boots to the Tiempo Legend V. The Juventus striker gave his “Volt” Tiempo boots the black marker treatment ahead of his sides Serie A fixture against Palermo. Tevez - like a number of plus thirty year old players this season - is on the hunt for a new endorsement deal after seeing his Nike contract run out without renewal. Whatever Nike are offering, just take it Carlos.
Samuel Eto'o (Everton) Puma evoSPEED 1.2
Samuel Eto’o doesn't fancy offering PUMA any free publicity. The Cameroon striker was on the score sheet again for Everton over the weekend, wearing his fantastically blacked-out, “Blue/Peach" PUMA evoSPEED 1.2 boots which give very little away. The striker had been a long-term PUMA athlete before disguising his footwear at the beginning of September.
Eric Dier (Tottenham) Nike Tiempo Legend V
After getting his debut Premier League season off to a goal scoring start wearing the Umbro UX-1 and Speciali 4, Eric Dier has seemingly called an early end to his time in the Double Diamond. The Spurs full-back was spotted wearing a blacked-out pair of Nike Tiempo Legend V boots as his side took on Newcastle. The England U21 international had previously been wearing the “Hyper Turquoise” colourway while on international duty, but has now done a job on his boot, putting himself in the shopping window for potential sponsors. Any takers?
Jamie Maclaren (Perth Glory) Nike Mercurial Superfly IV
Jamie Maclaren has added his name to the growing list of pro players who have taken Superfly modification into their own hands. The Perth Glory striker switched mid-match from the “Laser Orange” Vapor X to a customised pair of “Electric Green” Mercurial Superfly IV boots, presumably leaving the Dynamic Fit Collar back home in the trash.
Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory) adidas f50 Crazylight
Besart Berisha was the first player to appear on the training ground in the adidas f50 Crazylight ahead of the launch. Now the lid has been lifted the Melbourne Victory striker has been given the green light to slip into his new footwear on a competitive pitch. We can't deny the design is something special but shaving just 10g off the standard f50 will make absolute minimal difference performance wise.
Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Luton Town) Nike HyperVenom
When you play for Luton Town the chances of getting your own exclusive Nike colourway is difficult. Until the brilliantly named Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu gets that he'll have to make do with Neymar's gold HyperVenom worn in the World Cup. Half Pele, half Neil Ruddock, nutmegs you, then knocks your teeth out.
Alvaro Negredo (Valencia) Warrior Superheat
Warrior are soon set to re-brand as New Balance and they could well do that with a new impressive squad of players. Negredo, Januzaj and Nasri have all now been spotted wearing whiteout versions of the Warrior Superheat boot as the brand look to finalise deals to significantly boost their player support. A certain Arsenal midfielder could also be on the cards...
Carlos Matheu (Defensa y Justicia) Nike iD HyperVenom
Some of the more simplistic NikeiD jobs can often be the smartest and Carlos Matheu's is a tidy example of that. His white/black design with red Swoosh topped off with personalised squad number on the heel isn't the most exciting boot you'll see this week but it gets the seal of approval from us.
Richard Ruiz (Tijuana) Nike Tiempo Legend V
Tijuana are a club that appear frequently in boot spotting. The Mexican outfit are renown for encouraging their players to customise their boots in a red colourway to match their home colours. Some players do it properly, some players don't, Richard Ruiz being a prime example of the latter by colouring in his Tiempo V boots with a red pen.
Habib Habibou (Rennes) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX
Ahead of the World Cup in Brazil Nike released a "Fast Forward" collection of Mercurial Vapor IX boot inspired by famous Mercurials of previous World Cups. Habib Habibou this week laced up in the re-release of the boot worn by Brazil's Ronaldo in the 2002 tournament in Japan/South Korea.
Vitor (Sport Recife) Mizuno Morelia
Sport Recife's Vitor was keeping things old school this week by slipping into arguably the most comfortable boot on the market, the Mizuno Morelia. Mizuno pride themselves on optimum comfort and quality and Vitor's custom black out job compliments the low-key design of the boot.
Milos Ninkovic (Evian) adidas adiPURE SL
If you're comparing the most recent 11Pro Crazylight to the original adiPURE SL there's only one winner. The adiPURE SL was launched in March 2011 as adidas' first attempt at a lighter heritage boot that looked like, well, a heritage boot. That's how you do it, Milos Ninkovic knows it.
Pablo Cesar Velazquez (Toluca) adidas f50 adizero
Pablo Cesar Velazquez continued to jump the embargo gun at the weekend by wearing the next official adidas adizero f50 colourway. The white/green drop is scheduled for release on Halloween as part of a new set of updates across all adidas boot silos.
David James (Kerala Blasters) Puma evoPOWER
Ex-England 'keeper David James is now plying his trade in the Indian Super League with Kerala Blasters. The 44-year-old stopper wore a variety of brands throughout his career including, adidas, Mitre, Umbro and Reebok but more recently he's been sporting a pair of PUMA evoPOWER boots with a blacked out upper.
Tameka Butt (Brisbane Roar) Le Coq Sportif
Le Coq Sportif are still making football boots. We'll hold our hands up, we didn't know that. The monochrome design actually looks pretty decent to us with the brand's logo sat on top of a checkered flag with the brand name appearing on the outstep of the boot.
Courtney Sweetman-Kirk (Doncaster) adidas Predator LZ
If you can't decide on a colourway for your custom boots then why not just plaster them in every colour going? Courtney Sweetman-Kirk has created her Predator LZ's in a yellow/purple/red combo that is, to be completely honest, one of the worst iD jobs we've seen. It's hurting our eyes. Can't see her getting a job as an adidas boot designer... well, some of you might take a look at the Crazylight Pack and disagree.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Nike Mercurial Superfly CR
You might have heard that Nike launched a signature CR Superfly this week? In standard tradition Ronaldo laced up in el clasico and gave his exclusive boots a scoring start by nothcing from the penalty spot in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Barcelona. When they first dropped we labelled them as the best Nike CR boot to date, now we've seen them on pitch; nothing's changed.
Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea) Puma evoPOWER 1
Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas was sporting the latest "Pool Green" PUMA evoPOWER 1 colourway at Old Trafford on Sunday. PUMA have been relatively quiet in recent weeks but their new paint job is a minty fresh drop that still demands a strong on pitch presence from the previous "Fluorescent Yellow" design. Januzaj's boots? Whiteout Warrior Superheat.
Carlos Adrián Morales (Morelia) Nike Mercurial Superfly IV
One of the better NikeiD boots on show this week was via the feet of Carlos Adrián Morales. The Monarcas Morelia man has customised his Superfly IV boots with turquoise Safari-esque pattern, bright yellow Swoosh and plain black Dynamic Fit Collar. Take note Courtney Sweetman-Kirk.
