This week sees new and upcoming boots dropping all over the place, as both Nike and Adidas look to make their first on-pitch moves of the year. Add to that some special editions and surprising switches, and we got ourselves a our latest instalment of Boot Spotting. Lace up and let’s do this…
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) Nike Mercurial Superfly 8
Nike dropped the first colour update of the year for the Mercurial Superfly 8 and Vapor 14 last week, switching up the aesthetics for a fresh take for the start of 2022. Nike's roster duly made the switch in their droves, and Marcus Rashford caught the eye in the Superfly, grabbing a late winner for Man United against West Ham.
Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa) Nike Mercurial Vapor 14
With Rashford in the Superfly, it was a case of any of a number of players for the Vapor, and we plumped for Coutinho, making his first Premier League start since he left Liverpool in 2018.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United) Upcoming adidas Predator
We know the adidas Predator is on its way, having been spotted on the likes of Jude Bellingham already, but with the silo's main man, Paul Pogba now being spotted in what will be the launch colourway, it's got to be sooner rather than. later. Pogba was one of many players lacing up in the new boot, which takes its cues from the Predator LZ.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) adidas X Speedflow .1
As has been done before, it looks like the new Predator will be supported by new colourways for the X Speedflow and COPA Sense, with pros across the world switching into the fresh looks. Karim Benzema was one such player, lacing up in the X Speedflow in Real's 2-2 with Elche.
Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) adidas COPA Sense +
Napoli debuted their new 'Flames' third kit in their 4-1 win over Salernitana this weekend, and that wasn't the only debut. Lorenzo Insigne got on the scoresheet to equal Diego Maradona's scoring record for the club, and he did so in the upcoming colourway for the adidas Copa Sense +.
Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) Nike Mercurial Superfly GS360
Been a good week for Mason Greenwood, with the forward grabbing the second in United's 3-1 win over Brentford, and he did so in a custom Nike Mercurial Superfly GS360 colourway, combining a white rear section with red in the forefoot.
Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) adidas Predator Absolute
We know the new adidas Predator is on the way, and we also know that Jude Bellingham is set to be switching into the silo from the COPA line. And it looks like the England international is happy to play with the Predator's back catalogue, lacing up in the Predator Absolute from the 'Eternal Class' pack for training this week.
Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle) Nike Mercurial Superfly 8
Allan Saint-Maximin is one of those ace-in-the-pack type players, but it looks as though PUMA may be set to lose him, with the Newcastle man playing in this weekend's win over Leeds in the Nike 'Renew Pack' Mercurial Superfly 8.
Oriel Romeu (Southampton) Mizuno Morelia Neo III Beta
Not enough love for Mizuno in the upper tier of the game. That's why spotting the pros that do wear them here and there is all the more satisfying, so hats off to Southampton's Oriel Romeu for lacing up in the Mizuno Morelia Neo III β in his side's 1-1 draw with Man City this weekend.
Jack Clarke (Tottenham Hotspur U23) adidas F50 X Ghosted
Tottenham Hotspur U23 midfielder Jack Clarke grabbed the opening goal in his side's 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers U23, and he did so in the special edition adidas F50 X Ghosted.
Lukas Podolski (Górnik Zabrze) adidas X Speedflow MS .1
Lukas Podolski just keeps on rolling, showing off his exquisite taste in footwear. This week he laced up in the Mo Salah signature X Speedflow .1, one of the first pros we've seen in the boot outside of Salah himself.
