With pre-season well underway in Europe we've taken a look back at the past week of football to pick out the boots that have caught our eyes. From brand new 2016/17 silos to updated colourways and next-generation upgrades. The first Boot Spotting of the new season, and here's how it's shaping up.
Andre Horta (Benfica) Nike Magista Obra 2
Andre Horta was part of a number of players who made an early switch into the second-generation Nike Magista to kick off their pre-season in. Holding an unmistakable design on pitch, the Magista Obra 2's heat map graphics jumped out in the Algarve as Horta's Benfica took on Derby.
Roberto Soldado (Villarreal) adidas X 16.1
After a week of hype surrounding the PURE collection, adidas rolled out the 16.1 editions of their 'Speed of Light' pack. Villarreal striker Roberto Soldado was quick to get hold of the X 16.1 in leather for a strong block presence on pitch. All red everything, with the lace cover taken off, the latest X 16.1 will follow on from the success of the launch colourway at Euro 2016.
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Mizuno Morelia Neo II
Lazar Markovic is back with Liverpool after spending the majority of last season on loan in Turkey with Fenerbahçe. The Serbian striker was in action against Wigan at the weekend wearing the blue/yellow colourway of the second generation Mizuno Morelia Neo. As one of few leading Mizuno players, the Japanese brand will be hoping Markovic gets given more of a chance in the Premier League this season.
Dominique Janssen (Arsenal) Puma evoSPEED 1.5
PUMA made their first moves of the 2016/17 season last week by unveiling a new 'Tricks' styled colourway of the evoSPEED 1.5. Arsenal Ladies' Dominique Janssen slipped into the update when her side took on and beat Chelsea 2-1 at the weekend. The white/red/black combo on the evoSPEED is a coincidental tidy match for the PUMA Arsenal home strip, something the brand no doubt thought about with the strong number of PUMA players in the men's squad.
David Perkins (Wigan) Umbro Veocita III
Wigan had a busy weekend just gone, taking on Man United on Saturday and Liverpool on Sunday, losing both games 2-0. Some sore legs this morning no doubt. David Perkins used the game against Manchester United to break in the next colourway of the Umbro Velocita II, the brand's lead on-pitch drop for Autumn/Winter. Expect it to land later this week.
Davy Propper (PSV) adidas X 16.1
Davy Propper also jumped the gun this week by sporting the next adidas X 16.1 colourway. Two dominant colourways of blue and red are thrown together in unusual style as the Three Stripes prepare to officially launch the update later this month. The clean PURECHAOS and X 16.1 uppers providing the canvas for some uninterrupted aesthetics.
Mustapha Carayol (Middlesbrough) Concave Halo +
Middlesbrough took on Doncaster at the weekend as they upped their preparations for their return to the Premier League. Boro winger Mustapha Carayol was in action at against the League Two side wearing the black/white version of the Concave Halo + featuring the brand's trademark shooting technology – and if you saw Carayol's highlight reel of last season you'll see the damage it's doing from outside the box.
Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) adidas ACE 16+ PURECONTROL
Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino brought the Brazilian sunshine to the Rio de Janeiro of the North on Sunday as the Reds visited Wigan. Switching into the new laceless 'Speed of Light' ACE 16+ PURECONTROL colourway, Firmino's vibrant footwear momentarily took eyes away from his greasy little man bun. Something that should have been left firmly in last season.
Alex Revell (Northampton) Nike Hypervenom Phinish II
Alex Revell is keeping things clean this season to match Northampton Town's away strip. Opting for the white/black Nike Tech Craft Hypervenom Phinish II it was an all round monochromatic match up for the skipper as he notched in his side's 4-2 defeat to Brackley Town.
Alex Morgan (USA) Nike Hypervenom Phantom II
Alex Morgan was sporting the Nike Women's 'Radiant Reveal' Hypevenom, complete with custom soleplate as the USWNT warmed up for the 2016 Olympics with a friendly against South Africa at Soldier Field. A noticeable run out for the new USA home shirt too, finished off with minimal crest to meet Olympic rules.
