James Milner Interview - Nike CTR360 ID
SoccerBible recently had the opportunity to catch up with Manchester City and England star James Milner, and put a few questions to him whilst he designed a football boot especially for the SoccerBible fans!
James Milner is one of your more down-to-earth footballers, so when it was suggested he would design a boot using the Nike ID service at the Manchester Football Store for the SoccerBible, we weren't sure what the outcome would be. Beforehand, Milner freely admitted you'd never catch him in a pink boot like his team-mate Adam Johnson, but he did confess he's coming round to coloured boots after previously just wearing black. To be honest though, we were going to be happy with however the boot turned out, and were just happy to interview Milner for the SoccerBible fans...
SoccerBible: Why is it you choose the Nike CTR360's compared to the Vapors or the Legends, that you used to wear?
James Milner: For me the CTR360 is pretty much an all rounder. I think that the Vapors are very light, but they don't give much protection and you've got to be a bit of a wippet to wear them, and I've not got electric pace! But I think the CTR boot is light, comfortable and you have a nice feel with the ball, so for me it's a very good all round boot.
SB: How important is boot weight; the latest football boots all strive to be the lightest?
JM: Yes the lighter it is on your feet you obviously feel a bit sharper, I don't know if you've ever tried to run in wellingtons or walking boots, you're not as quick! But comfort and feel, and the protection is a big thing for me, it's nice to have it light but you need a bit of protection as well, it's very easy to get injured and tackles are flying. Which is what makes the CTR a pretty solid all rounder.
SB: You used to wear the Nike Tiempo Legend, meaning you've made the switch from leather to synthetic, does a synthetic upper perform better for you?
JM: I think it's more comfortable in the synthetic, because with leather it depends on the conditions you're playing in. If say it's been soaking and your boots dry they're rock hard, I'm sure everyone's had it in Sunday league, you know you don't wanna leave your boots in the bag! Whereas the synthetic doesn't seem to do that, leather boots also stretch a fair bit, which in a way can be good, but if you're running long distances they'll get out of shape but this boot always goes back to how it was when you first got them.
SB: Plus you can take the CTR's into the shower after a game!
JM: Exactly, done. But I don't think the groundsmen would be too happy to hear that!
SB: Do you keep a boot collection at home from any memorable/special games?
JM: Yeah, I've got some boots which I wore during the World Cup, Carling Cup final (where we got robbed, but that's referees and I'm not going down that road!). Then obviously you get asked for boots for charity as well, so I keep some at home for that.
SB: What's your favourite goal you've scored?
JM: I'd say either my first goal at Elland Road for Leeds against Chelsea, or my goal against Man U with Newcastle United or the Carling Cup one, it's always nice to score against Man United coming from Leeds!
|
SB: Do you reckon you'll go back to Leeds one day? JM: I'd like to yeah.
JM: At the current time we're in a Champions League place, which is the minimum that we want for this season. I think we just need to hang in there and be around the top, then after Christmas see where we are. Hopefully kick on from there and see what happens in the UEFA Cup and FA Cup as well. |
 |
SB: There are some great players at City, but who's the best you've played with in your career?
JM: It's too hard to single one out. I've played with a lot of good players like Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Patrick Vieira, Carlos Tevez, the list goes on and I've been very fortunate so I can't single one out.
SB: When you were younger who was your idol, who did you look up to?
JM: When I was at Leeds Alan Smith, he was a Leeds lad and he came through the academy. We all wanted to do that, we were all in the academy and wanted to do what he was doing and play for Leeds, we wanted to follow in his footsteps.
SB: The second Nike CTR360 Maestri is on it's way, what do you think of the new version?
JM: I think it's the same with every boot, as when I first saw the first CTR I wasn't sure about it, because you're happy with what you're wearing and you're comfortable. But it looks nice, and that was my first reaction.
It's no coincidence that Milner chose Leeds colours for his Nike ID football boots, but more on that later and for your chance to win the boots designed by James Milner stay tuned to the SoccerBible. You can check out the Nike CTR360 Maestri football boots worn by James Milner by CLICKING HERE.
