New year, new bit of Boot Spotting for your viewing pleasure, bringing you the usual round-up of new releases, special editions and throwback flair on the feet of the professionals. Good to go? Then let's not waste any more time.
Antony (Manchester United) PUMA x BMW MMS Ultra SL
PUMA ended the year with a collaboration with BMW, and Manchester United's Antony laced up in the speed boot for tha game against Wolves.
Kylian Mbappe (PSG) Nike Air Zoom Mercurial Superfly XV
With no official word from Nike, Mbappe debuted a new look Mercurial Superfly XV against Strasbourg. The white, blue and gold boots are unique to the standard edition Zoom Mercurial Superfly IX in their design and are expected to relate to the Frenchman's 2022 Golden Boot winning World Cup campaign. Unique details include a forefoot Swoosh and French flag on the heel.
Neymar (PSG) PUMA Future Ultimate DNA
Never to be outdone, Mbappe's teammate Neymar also sported a new boot upon his return to domestic action, and it was the all-new Future Ultimate DNA from PUMA.
Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City) adidas Predator Precision Archive
adidas got 2023 off to a bang with the rerelease of the Predator Precision, but ahead of its reveal Man City's Aymeric Laporte gave the world an early glimpse when he laced them up for training.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) New Balance Furon v7
Following his outstanding displays at the World Cup and his generally stellar form of late, New Balance gifted Bukayo Saka a new signature boot, and the Arsenal man was only too quick to test them out in training this week. Will likely get a debut against Newcastle.
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) Nike Mercurial Vapor XI
Sticking with Arsenal, and Eddie Nketiah has taken the opportunity presented to him by Gabriel Jesus's unfortunate injury with both hands, netting in two games on the trot, and he's done so in the Nike Mercurial Vapor XI, which rather appropriately comes from the 'Fire' side of 2016's 'Fire & Ice' collection.
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) Prototype adidas Predator
You often see next gen prototypes being tested out on training grounds, so it was a surprise to see Douglas Luiz wearing a blacked out version of the new Predator in Aston Villa's match against Liverpool recently. Even more of a surprise given he's a Nike player. Change on the cards...
Tom Bayliss (Shrewsbury Town) Nike Air Zoom Mercurial Vapor XV Retro
Back at the end of November Nike dropped the Air Zoom Mercurial Vapor XV 'Retro', recreating the look of the iconic Air Zoom Mercurial VT from 2001. Appearances of the boot on pitch have been few and far between, but Shrewsbury's Tom Bayliss was spotted wearing them in his side's 2-1 loss to Cambridge United.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Chelsea) Nike Mercurial Vapor IV SL
He may not be good for a goal anymore, but Aubameyang is always good for a retro boot spot, and sure enough the striker delivered recently with the Nike Mercurial Vapor IV SL, which he wore at training and again when he came off the bench in Chelsea's 1-1 with Nottingham Forest.
