Football leagues across Europe rolled out of their slumber and back into glorious action this week, making Boot Spotting that little bit easier, with pros lacing up in the latest releases, special editions, custom creations and throwback classics. Le’s see wha caught the eye…
Ivan Sunjic (Birmingham City) Nike Tiempo Legend 9
The Carabao Cup got underway last week, with Birmingham City scraping past Colchester 1-0 in the first round. In that match the Blues' Croatian midfielder Ivan Šunjić was spotted wearing the sleek Nike Tiempo Legend 9 'Renew Pack' colourway – an option that's not usually supported by pros but that looks the part, with the blue accents tying nicely with Birmingham's kit.
Giovanni Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas Predator Freak low .1
This week saw the reveal of the new EQT pack, which saw adidas celebrating 30 years since the brand revolutionised its performance wear. They did so by wrapping the Predator Freak in the iconic OG EQT colourway. Kicker was that it's currently only available Stateside, but that didn't stop Spurs midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso lacing up in the .1 version in training and in Spurs' impressive opening victory against current champions Man City.
Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) adidas predator Freak low .1
Joining Lo Celso in the EQT Predator Freak low .1 was Real Madrid's Marco Asensio, who came off the bench in Real Madrid's 4-1 La Liga opening win against Alavés. The look sees a white base joined by pops of "Sub Green" through the Demonskin spikes and forefoot soleplate.
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) PUMA Ultra 1.3
Christian Pulisic was announced as a PUMA player last week, and he got life with his new brand off to a goal-scoring start, notching Chelsea's second goal in the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in his specially customised Ultra 1.3's.
Memphis Depay (Barcelona) adidas X Speedflow +
Barca new boy Memphis Depay continues to flirt with a variety of boot brands, and this week saw the Dutch star slipping into the laceless Adidas X Speedflow + in training. He was back in his Under Armour Magnetico Pro for his side's 4-2 win over Real Sociedad. What brand will he end up signing with?
Mesut Ozil (Fenerbahce) Concave Halo+
Really interesting switch for Fenerbahçe's Mesut Ozil. Having been a free agent for for the last year, enjoying the freedom of wearing whatever boots he likes, from throwback Adidas Predator Accelerators to Nike Mercurial Vapors, it now looks like the former Germany international has settled on a new brand... And it's not what you'd expect, with the midfielder lacing up in the Concave Halo+ for his side's 1-0 win over Demispor. in their Süper Lig opener.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool) Nike T90 Laser III
Great to see The Ox back in action this week after what was a frustrating campaign last season due to injuries. The Liverpool midfielder geared up for the 21/22 season kick off by lacing up in the classic Nike T90 Laser III in training, before switching back into his 'Motivation Pack' Phantom GT for his side's opening 3-0 win over Norwich.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City) PUMA King Platinum
Manchester City's Oleksandr Zinchenko came off the bench in his side's 1-0 loss to Spurs in the cleanest of clean pairs of PUMA King Platinum. The Ukrainian has been wearing the Ultra 1.3 of late, but apparently fancied a fresh switch up for the first game of the season. Can't argue with that.
Chimy Avila (Osasuna) adidas X Speedflow +
Osasuna played Liverpool in their last preseason friendly this week, and in that match forward Chimy Avila was spotted wearing the sleek and laceless adidas 'Escape Light' X Speedflow +. The black out option is not often seen on pro pitches, and Avila was back in the 'Meteorite Pack' colourway when he came off the bench in his side's 0-0 opening La Liga match with Espanyol.
Emil Konradsen Ceide (Rosenborg) adidas F50 Adizero IV
Qualifying rounds for the UEFA Europa Conference League continued this week, and Rosenborg booked their place in the playoffs with an 8-2 aggregate win over Domzale. In the second leg of that match, which the Norwegian side won 2-1, forward Emil Konradsen Ceïde laced up in the adidas F50 Adizero IV in its eye-popping "Neon Pink/Running White/Solar Blue" colour combination from 2014. Hard to miss.
Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) Nike Tiempo Legend 9
Big Virg made his long-awaited comeback in Liverpool's opening win against Norwich, keeping a clean sheet and looking as calm and composed as ever. And he did so in the Nike 'Motivation Pack' Tiempo Legend 9 – the first time he has played in this colourway.
