Should Rice stay or should Rice go? Declan you got to let me know. Should Rice stay or should he go. That’s the song circling in my head as Declan Rice circles back round after flirtations with Nike and Under Armour to be seen in the next gen adidas Predator.
It’s never a surprise when a player’s boot contract is up for renewal. The clues are usually there: testing rival brands, trying different silhouettes, seeing what fits both literally and metaphorically. And, let’s be honest, it often comes down to who’s willing to put the most compelling offer on the table. So when Declan Rice recently stepped out in what looked to be a new Under Armour boot, shortly after trialling Nike options, it was a clear sign that his current adidas deal is approaching decision time. But adidas have a few tricks up their Three Stripes sleeve, and one of them appears to be handing Rice the all-new Predator to take for a spin.
Rice has been a key figure for adidas for years, effectively serving as the leading face of the COPA line. But it’s always felt like a slightly curious fit, given his long-standing affinity for the Predator. Back in his West Ham days, he’d regularly show up to training in classic Predator models, making no secret of where his loyalties lay. Now, it seems adidas are dangling the prospect of a silo switch in an effort to keep the England midfielder on their books. The question is: will it be enough?
Beyond Rice’s brand situation, this sighting gives us our clearest look yet at the next generation of Predator. Anyone who keeps even half an eye on the boot release calendar will know that adidas typically reserves December and January for a new Predator launch, meaning we're now edging ever closer to its official unveiling.
What we’re getting here is another dose of heritage-inspired design wrapped around a modern performance boot. This time, the influence comes from the Predator Precision and its iconic wavy Three Stripes execution. Rather than a straight recreation, adidas have used it as inspiration, with the branding sweeping down the lateral side before flowing across the forefoot and extending towards the toe. It’s a distinctive look in this white-and-silver colourway, but the real excitement comes from imagining how the design will translate across the inevitable wave of future releases. Chief among them, of course, will be the prospect of an OG black, white and red execution. Yeah, you can take my money now.
Watch this space for both news of which brand Rice ultimately decides to stick with, and of the new adidas Predator as and when it drops.
