As we edge towards the busy festive period, there’s plenty on display for Boot Spotting, from the usual new releases and throwback classics to special editions and custom creations. Let’s see who made the cut…
Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas X Ghosted+ PF
The fastest animal on the planet met a brand new breed of speed this week, as adidas presented the X Ghosted+ PF, wrapping the silo in a stunning Peregrine Falcon outer graphic, bringing with it F50 Yamamoto vibes a plenty. And Lucas Moura was among the three players across Europe selected to wear them, alongside Achraf Hakimi, and Michael Cuisance. Moura wore his in Spurs' 0-2 defeat to Leicester.
Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa) PUMA Future Z 1.1
Aston Villa drew a blank against Burnley in the midweek fixtures, but Ahmed Elmohamady caught the eye in the new PUMA Future Z 1.1 'Tease Edition', which had been promoted by Neymar on its launch last week. Elmohamady is a PUMA player and has been lacing up the Ultra in recent weeks, but this could be an indication that he's set to switch silos permanently.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan) Diadora Brasil Elite
Ibrahimovic is no stranger to a boot switch, and it's anyone's guess as to who – if anyone – he's been contracted to over the last 12 months, having been spotted in adidas, Nike and PUMA boots. But now he's been seen in what has been identified as the Diadora Brasil Elite, albeit with what appears to be a synthetic upper. One to watch, both from the boot perspective and Zlatan's brand positioning.
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII Korea
Wilf Zaha is always a player to keep an eye on with his excellent taste in special edition Nike Mercurials, and he didn't disappoint again this week, when he laced up in the special 'South Korea' edition of the Mercurial ahead of Palace's 1-1 draw with West Ham. Interestingly, the Eagles' attacker opted not to wear them in the match itself. Number 3 in our top Mercurials of 2020 in case you were wondering.
James McClean (Stoke City) adidas F50 X Ghosted
Normally a diehard Mercurial man, always catching our eye for his penchant for stunning special editions, Stoke's James McClean was surprisingly swapped the Swoosh for the Three Stripes this week, as he came off the bench in his side's 1-0 win over Blackburn in the adidas F50 x Ghosted 'Memory Lane' special edition.
Michy Batshuayi (Crystal Palace) adidas F50 X Ghosted
Batshuayi has always been a player that has favoured a nice throwback, so the recent 'Memory Lane' pack from adidas was right up his alley. The Palace man opted for the colourful Chameleon x crazylight release as his side crashed and burned against Liverpool.
Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas F50 X Ghosted
More from the 'Memory Lane' pack, and this time on the feet of Steven Bergwijn, who opted for the white, black & red release. Another appearance against Liverpool and another loss.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) adidas F50 X Ghosted
The final trip down 'Memory Lane' for the week comes courtesy of Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has previously been spotted in the black and yellow design synonymous with the 2010 World Cup, this week opted for the pink and blue 'Hybridtouch' release from 2014.
Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII NBY
Looks like Kyle Walker-Peters has treated himself to an early Christmas present, using the Nike By You service to customise a pair of Mercurial Vapor XIII in the corresponding colours of the Saints home kit. The fullback wore them in his side's 1-0 defeat against Man City.
Layvin Kurzawa (PSG) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII NBY
Another player to utilise the Nike By You Service – and not for the first time – was Layvin Kurzawa. The PSG fullback opted for an all over blue look, possibly tying in with teammate Kylian Mbappé's new style?
Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool) adidas COPA 20.1
As if Liverpool needed another boost what with their current form, Summer signing Thiago appears to be nearing a return to action. But as he works towards full fitness there's a curious change, with the midfielder – usually a Nike Mercurial man – training in the 'Precision to Blur' pack COPA .1 from adidas. Could signal a permanent switch of brands...
