Nike’s Rising List of BPL Players And The Boots They Are Wearing

With the BPL season well under way, there are several players who have really stood out with extremely high level performances. Of those players, there is something that has been a consistent theme in the boots they wear – most are in Nike.

Rather than focusing on the big names, we wanted to create a list of players you might not have heard of prior to the season, or just known what boot they are wearing. The key here is taking a look at their style of play and how their Nike boots match up to that performance.

Riyad Mahrez – Nike Hypervenom Phantom II

Leicester City, Winger
5 goals, 3 assists

Leicester are the team that never gives up, coming from behind several times this seasons to claim points. Mahrez has been front and center of the action, racking up an impressive haul of goals and assists already this season. Playing behind the front line, the Algerian winger wears a pair of Nike Hypervenom Phantom, choosing the dynamic mid-cut collar worthy as part of his arsenal.

Find all current Hypervenom Phantom colorways at Soccer.com.

Dimitri Payet – Nike Mercurial Superfly

West Ham, Attacking Mid
3 goals, 2 assists

West Ham have had a steller start to the current season, and Payet’s creativity from the center of the pitch has been instrumental. On his feet, he has a pair of boots designed for explosive attacking play, and that seems to be right in tune with his style.

Find all current Mercurial Superfly colorways at Soccer.com.

Aleksandar Kolarov – Nike Mercurial Superfly

Man City, Leftback
1 goal, 5 clean sheets

Defensively, Man City have been pretty solid up until this weekend. Kompany has been doing his part, but it is Kolarov who has stood out thanks to his ability to get forward with the ball and be a pivotal player during set-plays. On his feet, he wears the Superfly, which to be honest is an unusual choice for an outside back. BUT, they are built with a little more material than predecessors and the dynamic mid-cut collar provides more stability.

Find all current Mercurial Superfly colorways at Soccer.com.

Boaz Myhill – Nike Magista Opus

West Brom, Goalkeeper
4 clean sheets

Not only has Myhill been pulling off some tremendous saves this season, but he has also helped West Brom pull off 4 clean sheets in the opening 6 games. Tony Pullis has a reputation for being extremely organized, but not many would have seen them start as well as they have. On his feet, Myhill has a boot I believe is one of the most perfectly suited to goalkeepers – the Magista Obra. Why? They offer perfect comfort and the stud configuration is optimal for lateral movement, exactly what keepers need.

Find all current Magista Opus colorways at Soccer.com.

Callum Wilson – Nike Magista Opus

AFC Bournemouth, Striker
5 goals

In terms of players playing above their potential, Wilson might be one. Or is he? The Bournemouth striker is proving he can score goals at the top level, with 5 strikes through his first 6 games. That leaves him sitting top of the goal scoring charts, with the Cherries sitting comfortably mid table. In the Magista Opus, Wilson has found a boot he is comfortable with and provides a clean strike zone for getting shots off quickly. He has also gone Opus over Obra, demonstrating his preference for a boot with a mid-cut collar.

Find all current Magista Opus colorways at Soccer.com.

Odion Ighalo – Nike Mercurial Vapor

Watford, Striker
4 goals

In order for Watford to survive in the Premier League this season, they need someone to score goals. So far, it seems like Ighalo is the guy willing to take on the challenge. With 3 goals in his last 2 games, the striker is excelling in a pair of Mercurial Vapor. Being that they are designed to be one of the more dynamic boot options currently on the market, it only makes sense that he would choose to lace up in a pair. And, his choice of no mid-cut collar is another example of a striker who prefers less constriction around the ankle.

Find all current Mercurial Vapor colorways at Soccer.com.

Jamie Vardy – Nike Hypervenom Phantom II

Leicester City, Striker
4 goals, 1 assist

Vardy has actually jumped between the Phinish and the Phantom in recent weeks, but it seems like the latter is his current boot of choice. Leicester are probably one of the more dynamic teams in the league right now, even if that means they give up a boat loads of goals. Up top, they just keep scoring, and Vardy has been a big part of that. The play on mid-cut or no mid-cut is an interesting one, with Vardy seemingly deciding an in-play collar helps support his style and provide a more uniform fit. We will have to check this one and see if he makes anymore changes in the coming weeks.

Find all current Hypervenom Phantom colorways at Soccer.com.

Matteo Darmian – Nike Tiempo Legend

Man Utd, Rightback
3 clean sheets

In the opening games this season, Darmian has looked like a player primed and ready for BPL action. It is never easy jumping into a new league, but Darmian has done it very effectively. One of the reasons could be related to his simple choice of boot; the Nike Tiempo Legend, designed for a simple yet very comfortable level of performance. This would be the boot I’d recommend most for defenders, and Darmian is a player that illustrates why they are an ideal choice.

Find all current Tiempo Legend colorways at Soccer.com.

Aaron Cresswell – Nike Hypervenom Phinish

West Ham Utd, Leftback
2 assists, 3 clean sheets

Wins away to Arsenal, Liverpool and now Man City; what a start to the season it has been for West Ham. A key player in those performances has been Aaron Cresswell, a player who has proved valuable creating going forward and there when the going gets tough defensively. If you need to survive a scrappy defensive display, he might be one of the top men to add to your team right now! He was sporting a pair of Magista Obra last season into the start of this season, but he has made the switch to the Hypervenom Phinish without missing a beat!

Find all current Hypervenom Phinish colorways at Soccer.com.