With a close eye on the opening round of fixtures in the 20/21 Premier League season we bring you the best new releases, special editions, custom creations and throwback classics for this week’s Boot Spotting. Let’s see who made the cut…
Neymar (PSG) PUMA King Platinum NJR
Fresh from making the switch from the Swoosh, Neymar played against Marseille in his new PUMA King Platinums, complete with his new logo. Didn’t quite go according to plan though, with PSG losing 1-0 and Neymar getting sent off in stoppage time. Carnage.
Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan) Nike Phantom GT
While one player leaves Nike for PUMA it looks like another player could be set to do the opposite, with Romelu Lukaku spotted training in the Phantom GT this week. It looks certain that the big Belgian's time is up with PUMA as he continues to trial various boots from adidas and Nike ahead of making the decision to commit to either.
Thiago (Bayern Munich) Mizuno Morelia Neo II
Thiago's name has been among the headlines this summer ahead of a potential transfer, and it looks as though it could be a summer of big change for the Spaniard as along with a new club, he may well have a new brand partnership as well after he was spotted training in a blacked out Mizuno Morelia Neo II. The Bayern midfielder had previously been a Nike man, wearing the Phantom VNM.
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) Mizuno Morelia Neo III Beta
Another man who looks to be on the move is Granit Xhaka. The Arsenal man has been one of the main faces of Under Armour's boots for the last couple of years, but it appears as though his time with the American brand is up after he first trained in the 'Reach Beyond' Mizuno Morelia Neo III β before playing in a blacked out Morelia Neo III β in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Fulham.
Miguel Azeez (Arsenal U23) adidas Predator Accelerator ZZ
The gold edition Zinedine Zidane Predator Accelerator, released as part of the silo's 25 year anniversary, is an absolute classic that catches our eye every time someone opts to wear it. On this occasion it was Arsenal youngster Miguel Azeez in the Gunners U23's 2-1 loss to Southampton.
Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas COPA 20.1
Sticking in North London, and Harry Winks, usually a regular Predator wearer, switched out of his favourite silo to wear the COPA 20.1 from the 'Inflight Pack' for Spurs' 1-0 loss to Everton.
Jack Clark (Tottenham Hotspur U23) adidas F50 Adizero II Leather
Another youngster looking to catch the eye – and succeeding from a Boot Spotting perspective – was Spurs' Jack Clark, who pulled on the leather edition of the adidas F50 Adizero II from 2012 for his side's 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Divock Origi (Liverpool) Nike Mercurial Superfly VII Mbappe
Divock Origi has a flair for the flamboyant and has never hidden his love for the Mercurial line, so it was no surprise to see the Liverpool striker in the Mercurial Superfly VII Mbappé Rosa this week.
Wilfred Zaha (Crystal Palace) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII Mbappe
Another big fan of a bit of special edition Mercurial fire is Wilfred Zaha, and the Crystal Palace man laced up in the Mercurial Vapor XIII Mbappé Rosa this weekend, scoring the only goal in his side's 1-0 win over Southampton.
Lucas Digne (Everton) PUMA Ultra 1.1
Lucas Digne looks to have settled on PUMA as his next brand, having switched from adidas. The Frenchman was getting comfortable in a customised pair of Ultra 1.1 in his side's opening win over Spurs.
Serge Aurier (Tottenham Hotspur) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII
Completing a hat-trick of Spurs players, Serge Aurier showed off the full potential of the Nike By You customisation service, showing off a bespoke colourway of his own creation is training this week, and we have to say it was a belter. Especially loving that gold lightning Swoosh.
Sebastian Rudy (Schalke) Nike Premier II
Opting for the simple comfort and clean and classic aesthetics of the Nike Premier II for preseason – looks like Sebastian Rudy is our kind of guy!