Welcome to our new, revamped weekly cleat spotting – a focus on the players and the cleats that are shaking the goal scoring charts around the world. Let’s get started.
Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) – Nike Magista Opus
All hail the King: Robbie Keane steals the show in star-studded win over @NYCFC: http://t.co/vPh7TAJUCo#LAvNYCpic.twitter.com/YW2YUzVIfL
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 24, 2015
The MLS clash between the LA Galaxy and New York City FC captured everyone’s attention, with both side’s boasting star studded lineups. The game was far from the close contest that most were predicting with LA coming out dominant 5-1 winners. Contributing to LA’s win and, in turn, their becoming the first team to score 1,000 MLS goals in the regular season was the ever present Robbie Keane who scored two of LA’s five goals. Keane, a long time Nike man, was wearing his usual Nike Magista Opus in the, somewhat outdated, Silver Storm colorway. Following the release of the Silver Storm pack, Nike have released two new colorways for the Magista- the latest being the fantastic leather Tech Pack edition.
Keane brace brings him to a healthy fifteen goals for the season, three less than the league’s top scorer, Columbus’ Kei Kamara.
Pedro (Chelsea) – Nike Hypervenom Phinish
What a start for @_Pedro17_ … #CFC pic.twitter.com/mVBEUNbaUm — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 23, 2015
Pedro got his Chelsea career off to the best possible start with a crucial goal in the 3-2 win over West Brom. The Spaniard had something of a disappointing final season with Barca scoring only six goals and will be hoping that this goal is a sign of things to come. Pedro was wearing the bright orange Nike Hypervenom Phinish released in July. As with Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney, Pedro obviously prefers the lower cut, dynamic fit collarless Phinish to the all-out Phantom. Though the Dynamic Fit Collar does has it’s advantages, notably creating a snugger more secure fit, many professionals have opted against it not only on the Hypervenom but the Magista and Mercurial.
Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) – Nike Magista Opus
HIGHLIGHTS: 10 minutes of #WHUBOU highlights will be on Player HD at midnight: http://t.co/3IyhZKSSwVpic.twitter.com/xFCaMlFGVD
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) August 23, 2015
Callum Wilson announced himself on the big stage with a well taken hat-trick against West Ham on Saturday. Wilson contributed massively to Bournemouth’s first win in the top flight and became only the fifth player in Premier League history to score an away hat-trick for a promoted side. As with Robbie Keane, Wilson’s weapon of choice was the Nike Magista Opus. Though often associated with playmakers such as Paul Pogba and Mario Gotze, Wilson and Keane are evidence of the boot’s universal popularity.
Wilson’s hat-trick means he’s now sitting pretty at the top of the goal-scorers table, only one goal behind the season’s surprise leader Riyad Mahrez.
Samir Nasri (Manchester City) – New Balance Visaro
A photo posted by Manchester City FC (@mcfcofficial) on Aug 23, 2015 at 10:39am PDT
Manchester City have got off to a flawless start this season as they made it 3 wins for 3 without a single goal conceded. Substitute Samir Nasri secured the three points with a clinical goal that stemmed from a brilliant exchange with Yaya Toure. Nasri was wearing his new boots for the season, the New Balance Visaro. New Balance released the Visaro alongside its other boot, the Furon, over the summer following an entire season of teasing. Nasri’s Visaro is New Balance’s control boot, while the Furon, worn by his teammate Jesus Navas is a lighter weight option.
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) – adidas X 15
Und wieder bringt #Müller den Ball über die Linie, doch Schiri Stieler entscheidet auf Handspiel. (80′) #TSGFCB 1-1 pic.twitter.com/eYUktPrqFb — FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) August 22, 2015
Despite lots of speculation surrounding his future, Thomas Muller has been the early season trailblazer in the Bundesliga. The Bayern man has netted three goals in the first two games of the season, including the equalising goal in Bayern’s last minute win over Hoffenheim. Despite being spotted in a mysterious black out boot during training, Muller switched back into his usual adidas X 15 for the match. The X 15 was released alongside the Ace 15 and Messi 15 during adidas’ major overhaul of its entire boot line. Designed for players that go against the rules and want to create Chaos, the X 15 is adidas’ boot for the ruthless forward.
One to watch
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) – Nike Mercurial Tech Craft
Alexis Sanchez has the urgency to push Arsenal to victory on Monday, writes @tomEurosport. http://t.co/bC3Q7JCAee pic.twitter.com/fWkCrqsxGG
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 24, 2015
Arsenal will be pinning a large portion of their hopes on Alexis Sanchez not only today as they take on Liverpool but for this season as a whole. The Chilean is, simply put, indispensable. Despite having yet to score a goal or, for that matter, play a full 90 minutes, Sanchez will be one to watch in today’s clash. Keep a special eye out for the brand new Mercurial Tech Craft that he prematurely debuted last week. The Tech Craft pack as a whole is all about not having to make compromises. The Mercurial, for example, features a thin layer of leather that is strategically placed to maintain the boot’s identity and technical specifications – a win/win. Looks wise, the Hyper Pink Mercurial is nothing short of stunning.
On a side note
Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) – adidas X 15
PIC: Adnan Januzaj bursts past Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback. It’s 0-0 with half an hour gone. #mufcpic.twitter.com/A5nNbWMjZL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 22, 2015
Adnan Januzaj’s play this week was notable only for the slightly outrageous dive he attempted against Newcastle. However, what caught our eye was his blacked out adidas X 15. Januzaj played a major part in New Balance’s hype up campaign last season and was extensively featured when the brand eventually released its two boots. Since then, however, it seems that the United player has parted ways with the brand. A perplexing situation and not one that we think was down to his contract with them running out. We’ll be keeping our eyes on Januzaj in the coming weeks to see if he switches into a fully fledged X 15, or maybe even reverts back to New Balance.
That does it for this week’s Cleat Spotting! See something we missed? Let us know in the comments section below!
