Another round of fixtures in the new season throws up a great combination of new releases, special editions, custom creations and throwback classics to fill out this week’s Boot Spotting. Let’s see what caught the eye…
Cyrill Akono (Verl) PUMA Future Z 1.2 Tech Craft
First up, a trip over to Germany and the 3. Liga to get a first appearance of the PUMA Future Z 1.2 from the recently launched 'Super Tech Pack', which was worn by Cyrill Akono of SC Verl in their match against Meppen. The 'Super Tech' pack took the single most important features of the Ultra and Future Z respectively, and pushed them beyond their current boundaries with innovative technology and materials. And that gave us the first-ever laceless Future Z 1.2.
Kai Havertz (Chelsea) Nike Phantom GT II
To support the German Red Cross and those affected by terrible floods in his home region, Kai Havertz developed a one-off design for 100 pairs of Nike Phantom GT II boots, which the Chelsea attacker then wore in the Blues' 2-0 win against Arsenal this weekend. The boots were then auctioned to help raise money and awareness in the hope of rebuilding the communities which have been destroyed.
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) Nike Phantom GT II
Sticking with the London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal, and Romelu Lukaku enjoyed a goal-scoring second debut for the club. Along with a new club, he also laced up a new pair of boots, opting for the Phantom GT II from the Nike 'Motivation Pack', having previously been in the Mercurial Superfly 8.
Luuk Brouwers (Go Ahead Eagles) PUMA Future Z 1.2
Over in the Eredivisie, Go Ahead Eagles' Luuk Brouwers was spotted in what appears to be an unreleased colourway of the PUMA Future Z 1.2. It sees a monochromatic colourway with a white base colour joined by black accents. Could be one on the way from PUMA...
Melvine Malard (Olympique Lyonnais) adidas Predator Freak +
Portland Thorns edged Olympique Lyonnais 1-0 in the Women's International Champions Cup on the weekend, and in that match Lyon's Melvine Malard played in the Predator Freak + from the recently revealed adidas EQT pack. Having seen Giovanni Lo Celso and Marco Asensio in the .1 version in recent weeks, this was the first sight of the laceless version in action.
Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash) Nike Phantom GT and Mercurial Vapor 13
Really interesting spot in the entertaining Women's Champions Cup third place playoff between Barcelona and Houston Dash on the weekend, which ended 3-2 to the Spaniards, with Dash's Michelle Alozie not only wearing odd Nike boots, with the Mercurial Vapor 13 from the 'Flash Crimson Pack' on her right foot and the Phantom GT from the 'Spectrum Pack' on her left, but she also opted to remove the laces from both.
James McClean (Wigan Athletic) Nike Mercurial Superfly 8
Like Romelu Lukaku, James McClean made a goal-scoring return to a former club, this time Wigan Athletic. And the Republic of Ireland man did so in a customised pair Nike Mercurial Superfly 8, dressed out by boot artist @petezheng.art to look like the Mercurial Vapor Superfly in one of its OG colourways.
Romaine Mundle (Tottenham Hotspur U23) Nike Mercurial Vapor 13
Tottenham Hotspur U23 player Romaine Mundle continues to try and catch the eye, and this week he did so in the Nike Mercurial Vapor from the 'Future DNA' pack, which saw the then current gen of the Mercurial Vapor dressed out to look like the the OG Superfly in the “Max Orange/Metallic Silver” colourway from 2009.
Boubakary Soumaré (Leicester City) Nike CTR360 Maestri II
Boubakary Soumaré continues to make an impact in Leicester's squad, and he did so in training this week ahead of the match against West Ham in the throwback Nike CTR360 Maestri II.
Uros Racic (Valencia) Nike Mercurial Vapor 14 NBY
Uroš Račić showed off the potential of the Nike By You service, playing in Valencia's 1-1 draw with Granada in a customised pair of Mercurial Vapor 14.
Harlee Dean (Birmingham City) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX
Nice throwback from Birmingham City skipper Harlee Dean, as he laced up in the unmistakeable Nike Mercurial Vapor IX in his side's 2-0 loss to Bournemouth.
