With teams across Europe finally returning to domestic action we've been able to see some of the hottest new drops being put to the use they were designed for, along with getting a little flavour of what else 2019 has in store for us. Ready? Let's get into this...
Paulo Dybala (Juventus) adidas COPA70
As part of the brand's 70th anniversary celebrations, adidas released the COPA70 earlier this week, paying homage to the classic and timeless silhouette of the Copa Mundial, while also introducing a modern twist with the use of Primeknit. After training in them earlier this week, Paulo Dybala wore the COPA70 as Juventus cruised to a 2-0 win against Bologna in the Coppa Italia. Double-laced it as well, didn’t he. Good lad.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) adidas X 18.1
Starting off a bit of Liverpool theme, and Mo Salah demo'd the next look for the X as the Reds beat Brighton 1-0. Salah was taken down for a penalty which he subsequently slotted home for the win. Along with Salah, Firmino also showed off the new look for the Nemeziz.
Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) Nike Tiempo Legend VII
Sticking with Liverpool and Virgil Van Dijk has been seen training in PUMA and adidas boots recently, leading to speculation that his contract with Nike was up. All but confirming that suspicion, the Dutch defender played in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Brighton in a blacked out pair of Nike Tiempo Legend VII boots. Watch this space for the latest on which brand big Virg opts to go with...
Gaetan Bussmann (Mainz) adidas COPA 19.1
Transitioning seamlessly from VVD to a boot that he's been seen wearing recently. Mainz defender Gaetan Bussmann gave us another glance at the upcoming COPA 19.1 colourway as the German side took part in a friendly match against Standard Luettich as part of their mid-season training camp in Marbella.
Sadio Mane (Liverpool) New Balance Furon 5.0
Back to the Reds and their Senegalese forward, Sadio Mane, gave us a sneak peek at the first colourway for the upcoming New Balance Furon 5.0 in training this week. At first glance, the stand out feature of this new design appears to be the lacing system, which looks significantly smaller, presumably to increase the strike zone. The Furon 5.0 is due to drop later this month and Mane was back in the current colourway for the match with Brighton.
Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona) Nike Mercurial Vapor
From current Liverpool players to a former one, and it was a bit of a surprise to see Coutinho in what appears to be a new black out boot in an actual match as opposed to just training. He's usually a PhantomVSN man, but could this be set to change? It's unlikely he's leaving Nike, so early indications would suggest that he could be trialling the next-gen of the Mercurial.
Luis Suarez (Barcelona) PUMA Future 19.1
PUMA dropped the 'Power Up' pack earlier this week, and despite seeing it blacked out on the feet of numerous pros at the tail end of last year, this is the first time we've seen the Future 19.1 in all its coloured glory. Luis Suarez bagged a brace in the bold boots as Barcelona strolled to a routine 3-0 win against Eibar in La Liga.
Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund) PUMA ONE 19.1
Completing PUMA's 'Power Up' line up, Axel Witsel was seen this week training in the new ONE 19.1 and he wore them again in a mid-season friendly as Dortmund took on Feyenoord. It appears that he's opted for the low-cut version rather than the traditional collared ONE, which teammate Julian Weigl was seen in, while Marco Reus was also spotted in the Future 19.1.
Eric Garcia (Manchester City) adidas COPA 19.1
The Archetic Pack dropped earlier this week, but it wasn't supposed to get any on pitch support. Obviously Man City youngster, Eric Garcia, chose to ignore that fact, turning out for training in the COPA 19.1. Seeing it in action makes you realise what a shame it is that this pack isn't one that the pros will be wearing in their masses.
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) Under Armour Magnetico
After wearing them in training during the week, Granit Xhaka wore a previously unseen colourway of the Under Armour Magnetico as Arsenal stumbled to a 1-0 loss to West Ham. The new look combines a core black look with green trim. Look out for an official drop in the coming weeks...
Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas Glitch 19
Tottenham's young right back, Kyle Walker-Peters wore the latest Glitch skin in training this week. The versatile silo has delivered numerous different aesthetics thanks to it's clean two-piece design and KWP has been one of adidas' go-to men since launch.
