This week has seen several pros switching brands, as existing boot contracts end and new partnerships begin ahead of the new season. This combined with preseason friendlies and the return of the UEFA Nations League has provided plenty of new releases, special editions and throwback classics for the latest Boot Spotting.
Aaron Ramsey (Juventus) New Balance Tekela V3
Aaron Ramsey continues to experiment with his boot choices, switching between Nike, adidas, and now this week, going back to his old friends at New Balance. The Welshman opted for the new laceless Tekela V3 from the 'Night Heat' pack. It will be interesting to see where he finally settles as he tries to work his way into Andrea Pirlo's plans for the coming campaign.
Josh Kay (Barrow) Nike Mercurial Superfly VII Mbappe
The EFL Cup saw the might of Championship side Derby County taking on newly promoted League 2 side Barrow this week. And Barrow's left-wing back Josh Kay caught the eye in the Nike Mercurial Superfly VII Mbappé Rosa edition, as the underdogs almost caused an upset, only losing out on penalties.
Hector Bellerin (Arsenal) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII
Hector Bellerin continues to enjoy the freedom of not being tied down to a boot contract, having trained this week in the specially customised Kid Super x PUMA King, before switching into the Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII from the "Chile Red" pack for Arsenal's 3-2 preseason friendly loss against Aston Villa.
Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle) PUMA Ultra 1.1
The "Chasing Adrenaline" launch colourway for the PUMA Ultra is a vibrant affair, but it's now been followed up by a far more low key and seductive 'Eclipse Pack' edition. While this blacked-out beauty is not one we'd normally expect to see on the pros, Newcastle's Allan Saint-Maximin bucked the trend, pulling them on for the Magpies' 0-1 preseason loss to Stoke.
Sadio Mane (Liverpool) New Balance Furon V6
Gearing up for the new season kick off, Sadio Mane has given us a sneak peek at an unreleased colourway of the Furon V6. The mainly blue affair (sure to not be a favourite in the Reds' camp) looks set to be the new on-pitch colourway for the start of the 20/21 season and is likely to drop anytime now...
Gareth Bale (Wales) adidas X 18.1
Gareth Bale got some much needed minutes on the pitch for Wales this week, and the out-of-favour Real Madrid man surprisingly opted to wear the adidas X 18.1 from the 'Team Mode' pack, originally launched in July 2018. Until now Bale had been wearing the X Ghosted. Our money's on the fact he was in such a rush to leave Madrid that he forgot his boots and had to get some from lost property...
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) adidas COPA 20.1
Looks like Romelu Lukaku's time with PUMA has come to and end, after the Inter Milan striker first trained, and then played in the adidas COPA 20.1 from the 'Uniforia' pack. Lukaku has been a prominent figure for PUMA since he signed with the brand in June 2018, facing up the King Platinum line, but just over two years later and it looks as though they have possibly parted ways...
Harvey Elliott (Liverpool) New Balance Furon V6
Taking a leaf out of teammate Sadio Mane's book, Harvey Elliott played and scored in Liverpool's 7-2 preseason game against Blackpool in a blacked out version of the New Balance Furon V6, suggesting the youngster still hasn't settled on a new supplier after his deal with Nike expired recently. Season is nearly starting Harv, better make a decision...
Rodri (Spain) Nike Magista Obra II
Rodri turned the clock back to the 2018 World Cup as Spain embarked on their Nations League campaign this week, donning the Nike Magista Obra II from the 'Just Do It' pack.
Lucas Digne (Everton) PUMA Ultra 1.1
Lucas Digne is another player who appears to have switched, going the other way from Lukaku in trading adidas for PUMA. The Everton fullback has also been seen in the Nike Mercurial Vapor recently, but chose the PUMA Ultra 1.1 for France's 1-0 win over Sweden.
Michail Antonio (West Ham) adidas Predator Mutator 20.1
Looks like Michail Antonio's deal with Umbro has ended, and it appears that he has now signed with Adidas, after the West Ham man played in his side's 3-5 defeat to Bournemouth in the 'Inflight Pack' Predator Mutator 20.1. Antonio has been used frequently by Umbro in their marketing campaigns, so his loss will be a big blow for the Double Diamond.
Álvaro Odriozola (Real Madrid) Unreleased adidas boot
Having completed his loan spell with Bayern Munich, Álvaro Odriozola returned to parent club Real Madrid and instantly caught the eye, wearing a previously unseen black out boot. Odriozola is an adidas man, suggesting that this is likely something from the Three Stripes. We've had the X Ghosted, and it doesn't look like a Nemeziz or COPA... our money is on this being a next-gen Predator...
