Soccer Cleats 101 Soccer Cleats News and Reviews
Welcome to an all new segment on SoccerCleats101 called “The Boot Report”.
Going forward, this is the spot you will want to read when wondering what boots players are currently wearing or what is going on in the world of boots in general. It is a mix of whats being worn on pitches, our own unique boot predictor segment for what people should be wearing, and the stories dominating the world of soccer footwear. Anytime we spot new players in boots, we will add it in here. If a players boots fail performance wise, we will have it here. If there are any unique boot stories or updates – this is where we will piece them together.
For the opening piece, here is something to hone your skills and get you recapped on what is going as we start the new EPL season.
Nike Changes and the T90 Laser Switch
Christian Benteke was a loyal Tiempo Legend wearer last year and he had a stormer of a debut campaign. This pre-season, however, he took to wearing the Nike Hypervenom Phantom, and his two goal haul vs Arsenal on the opening day means we are very likely to see him continue to wear the new agility boot. They are not the choice that I’d put the big, bustling, attacker in as they are not really the advertised match for his style, but if they put him in a confident mood, he won’t change.
The retirement of the Nike T90 Laser range has obviously hit home with several players. Chris Smalling has moved into the Tiempo Legend. Another person in this situation who we heard a lot about in the downtime of the Premiership is Papa Cisse, who switched to the Hypervemon. Daniel Sturridge was also a player who was a loyal T90 wearer, even wearing his clash colorway well into the middle of last season when there have been plenty of colorway changes. The last silo change-up spot goes to a much traveled Irishman, Robbie Keane, who has moved into the CTR360. Seeing as he bagged a solid hat-trick in them earlier this week, he is unlikely to move away from the control boot.
[Also: Nike Hypervenom Phantom Review]
Warrior Sports and the new Gambler
The big up and coming brand in England has to be Warrior Sports, they have signed some up and coming players, Marouane Fellaini and Tom Ince , but they also have Craig Bellamy, New Hull City loanee Danny Graham and Vincent Kompany on board.
Last season the likes of Nikica Jelavić and Jonás Gutiérrez played in a K-Lite disguised as an S-Lite, but both being Tiempo wearers in the past they must have preferred the leather version. Little cheeky spot comes from Stephen Gerrard’s testimonial, with long serving and loyal Nike Tiempo player, Robbie Fowler, in a pair of Warrior Gambler. Speaking of the Gambler, the only two players who have made a silo change so far has been the tall Belgian and the little welsh winger.
[Also: Warrior Gambler S-Lite Review]
Players Switching Brands
There has been little movement on a brand change so far, but Adidas has had a coup in changing some loyal branded people. We have spotted loyal Nike T90 wearer Mark Noble of West Ham moving into the Adidas Nitrocharge. Another big change comes from the utility man from Manchester Untied, Phil Jones, who has also moved into the Nitrocharge range from Puma. Tough tackling Nigel de Jong has also jumped ship from Puma and is currently in Adidas boots.
What Is Next for Umbro?
As I type these words I genuinely hope that Umbro can secure new business after its recent sale. I was a big Umbro wearer for maybe years after the likes of Alan Shearer and Michael Owen. The old stalwarts for Umbro have moved on, Gary Cahill of Chelsea ts his prime was an Umbro wearer, along with Michael Dawson, high profile young starlets like Conor Wickham also moved away. From what I can see Andy Carroll and Joe Hart are the few high profile players sticking with the largely K-Leather brand.
[Also: Welcome in the Umbro geoFLARE]
Anything We Missed?
There are obviously a lot more switches and potential boot changes happening on a daily basis. Is there any big changes that you have spotted or players that you think are likely to switch brands in the near future? If so, make sure to let us know in the comment section below.
