Boot Spotting: 31st October

I feel sorry for the guys who have to make the season review in May next year. We’re only 10 weeks into the EPL season and there’s already enough highlights for 3 hours of tape. The Premier League continued it’s tumultuous attitude with a London derby to remember. We’ve got the best boot spots from the action from England, Europe and all over the world from this weekend’s action.
Robin van Persie (Arsenal) – adidas adiPower Predator

The man who threw in his hat for the performance of the weekend had to start off our boot spotting this week. Arsenal’s talismanic captain led his team to their most memorable victory this year as his devastating hat-trick clinched the points for Arsenal in an 8 goal London derby to remember. Even though we unveiled the Black/Warning adiPowers earlier this week, we believe no players wore the new colourway this weekend. Perhaps we’ll see more players, like van Persie, wearing it next week.
David Beckham (LA Galaxy) – adidas adiPower Predator DB

In his side’s recent playoff victory over the New York Red Bulls, David Beckham debuted his new football boots. With a synthetic upper, his adidas adiPower Predators aren’t any old pair of boots and they will be hard to get a hold of, so if you like the color scheme, make sure you buy the boots fast!
Jeronimo Amione (Mexico) – Nomis Nine Pincer

We’ll be honest, we didn’t know what these boots were when we posted it up early. But the sharp eyes of dw picked up that Amione is wearing the Nomis Nine Pincer, which features a full grain leather upper and Dual Control Technology for brilliant ball control in dry and wet conditions.
Oscar Vera (Atlante) – adidas +F50 TUNiT

Even though the current adidas adiZero is arguably the best speed boot going around at the moment, Oscar Vera is still wearing an early incarnation of the +F50 TUNiT, the first ever boot where you could change the stud layout to suit the conditions you were playing in. While the boot ended up being a dismal failure compared to the Vapor series at that time, it gave way to the most revolutionary speed boot we’ve ever seen, the F50 adiZero.
Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart) – Nike Tiempo Air Legend II

It’s not too often that we head over to the Bundesliga for a boot spot, but we might have to go more often if they throw up more spots like Kuzmanovic’s retro Tiempo Air Legend II right here. Not much has changed with the Tiempo Legend since the Legend II (give and take a carbon fibre soleplate), so it’s kind of understandable why Kuzmanovic hasn’t bothered to change his boots.
Brett Emerton (Sydney FC) – Nike Tiempo Legend IV Elite

Anyone watching the Melbourne Heart vs Sydney FC game from Saturday night would have seen many players on the park wearing rainbow coloured laces, as seen on Brett ‘The Poor Man’s Harry Kewell’ Emerton here (our Australian readers will understand that reference). All the players wore the laces in support of the Rainbow Foundation, which raises organ donor awareness in Australia. The rainbow laces create a stark contrast with Emerton’s boots and it’s great to see the players support such a worthy foundation.
Duilio Davino (Estuadiantes) – Pirma 657 Supreme III

Pirma have had a place on nearly all of our Monday boot spotting articles this month and we’ve again filled the quota for Pirma! While Connor commented that a Pirma spot from the Thursday midweek article looked a lot like the blue adiPower Predator, I can’t help but think Pirma might have taken inspiration from the electricity adiZero for this colourway!
Luke Varney (Portsmouth) – adidas adiZero RS7 Pro

Despite all the wonderful F50 adiZero colourways that we’ve seen for the past year or so, it seems Luke Varney really couldn’t find one to suit him. That’s seen the Pompey player settle for the rugby version of adidas’ hit speed boot. Every adiZero RS7 Pro is made with SG studs, and they weigh 165 grams, which is the same as the regular, non-Prime F50 adiZero.
Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart) – adidas F50 adiZero (Custom)

Similar to the White/Adonized Blue/Slime colorway that adidas released awhile back, Melbourne Heart’s Aziz Behich was spotted in his metallic miadidas creation. It’s certainly a flashy colourway and it looks pretty good on the pitch!
Kasey Wehrman (Newcastle Jets) – Pele Sports 1970

Pele Sports took one of their biggest risks so far this week when they released the new Pele Sports Trinity, the speed boot that gives people an alternative to the adiZero or V1.11. But that won’t stop Pele Sports producing classic k-leather boots like the 1970, which has Dual Friction Technology for improved control and grip.
Eran Zahawi (Palermo) – Nike Mercurial Vapor V

A flashback to a Nike boot from the Mercurial Vapor heyday. The Orion Blue Vapor V was made when the Vapor range was king, with the perfect boot, brilliant soleplate and no ridiculous gimmicks. It’s arguably my second favourite Vapor colourway of all time and it could be a good time for Nike to return to one of the most successful colourways of all time in the near future.
Miguel Flano (Osasuna) – Uhlsport Torkralle

I wondered a few weeks ago whether any outfield players wear the Uhlsport Torkralle after I spotted two keepers in the boot, and we’ve finally found one! Uhlsport boots aren’t seen too often on the feet of players, so it’s nice to have one in our boot spotting article whenever we see one.
Gaetano D’agostino (AC Siena) – Diadora Kobra K-Pro

While we’re pretty sure D’agostino is wearing Diadora Kobra K-Pros, it’s the colourway that has slightly perplexed us. Diadora haven’t made any noise about any new colourways for their Kobra range, so perhaps D’agostino has broken the curfew and brought his Diadoras out a week early!
Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids) – Puma v1.11 (Project Pink edition)

MLS players have made a concerted effort to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Omar Cummings is the latest one wearing Project Pink PUMA V1.11s in his side’s recent match.

Paper Talk - 15 October 2011

Paper Talk - 15 October 2011

Paper Talk: Chamakh's Gunner go

Arsenal will sell Marouane Chamakh in January, Chelsea will pay £2m for a 14-year-old, and Bartholomew Ogbeche is on trial at Middlesbrough.

• Arsene Wenger has ruled himself out of managing England - for good.
• Andre Villas-Boas says he will not sell Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in January.
• Steve Cotterill said a tearful farewell to Portsmouth's players before taking charge at Nottingham Forest.

• Robin Van Persie to sign for in January 2012 Transfer Window. Click here to bet.

• Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign a 14-year-old - MK Dons midfield starlet Seyi Ojo - worth a staggering £2million.

• Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Manchester United and Liverpool fans to stop their sick taunts.
• Fabio Capello is desperate to appeal against Wayne Rooney's Euro 2012 ban - but fears such a move could see it increased.
• Under pressure Sunderland boss Steve Bruce feels he has the backing of chairman Ellis Short, but admits he needs "a few results".
• Bristol City will speak to Derek McInnes this weekend about becoming their new boss after agreeing a six-figure transfer fee for the St Johnstone manager.

• Joe Cole hopes his move to Lille has reinvigorated his England hopes.

• Arsene Wenger dismissed suggestions yesterday that he might one day become England manager.
• Harry Redknapp has given his clearest indication yet that David Beckham is unlikely to join a Tottenham squad he declared is the best he has ever worked with as a manager.

• England manager Fabio Capello is keen to launch an appeal against Wayne Rooney's ban.
• Carlos Tevez will stay away from Manchester City's match with Aston Villa today.

• Blackburn boss Steve Kean feels he has won further backing at Blackburn after he was allowed to bring in Paul Clement as his new assistant.

• Arsene Wenger is ready to sell Marouane Chamakh in January.
• Bolton chariman Phil Gartside will launch an urgent review of his side's failings if they are still in the bottom three after their next four games.
• Middlesbrough are giving a trial Nigeria striker Bartholomew Ogbeche.
• * To listen to Sky Sports News Radio's review of the morning Papers, at 8.40am and 9.40am, click here

Nike T90 Laser IV Briefing Case

  
Never ones for conventional methods of boot presentation – or anything for that matter - Nike have delivered a one-off T90 Laser IV Briefing Case. While looking like a piece of military surplus equipment, the case houses Nike's explosive Laser IV in stylishly-cool fashion!

In typical Nike style, the brand have delivered an over-the-top showcase box for their years headline football boot. It's what Nike do, and we love it! After the cases arrival at SoccerBible HQ, we wasted no time in getting the briefing case under the bright lights! Take a look and share your thoughts online, on Twitter and on Facebook. 




If the outside wasn't cool enough for you, it's about to get a whole lot better! The highly limited T90 Laser IV Briefing Case unlocks you to a jaw-dropping world of T90 heaven! It's impossible not to be impressed at the level of detail from the T90 USB key to the blue-print design sheets. This is how it's done!  





Nike hide no secrets from what makes the T90 Laser IV so unique. Each key element of the boot is individually presented alongside its blue-print tech details. The breakdown of the boot is impressive to say the least and makes you realise the level of work invested in each stage of the design.  







Still a little light on the T90 tech front? The new Nike T90 Laser IV football boots feature a TPU bladed stud arrangement that combines with toe and heel secondary traction. This design allows for superior structural reinforcement and traction on wet and soft surfaces. With flexibility and movement key to the strikers success, enhanced mid-foot torsion creates a stiff power transfer from heel to toe. 



Rarely do we see a boots main feature individually removed from the boot. Now we can bring you closer than ever to the Nike T90 Laser IV Adaptive Shot Shield Technology! As you can see, the Adaptive Shield is an impressive feat of soccer shoe technology! With years of research gone into achieving the best result, the Laser IV is the most advanced yet.  





The key contact zones are broken into strips surrounded by shape correcting foam. Fins reduced in size and height offer a more powerful and natural ball feel. Both zones are designed to flex naturally with ball contact. With Wayne Rooney, Alexandre Pato and Fernando Torres leading the T90 front line, the Nike Laser IV has become one of the ultimate modern day weapons for strikers. 





Also packed inside the heavy duty brief case is the Nike T90 Laser IV Shape Correcting Tongue with a memory foam surface beneath the first metatarsal area to protect your instep bone structure and increase ball accuracy for a seamless strike on the ball. Who would have thought a tongue could do all that! 





The new T90 Laser IV football boots feature a remodelled stud design to maximise the speed of penetration and release on pitch without increasing stud pressure for the player. Heel, medial, lateral and toe off edge traction combined with a more flexible plate also enhance agility and reduce slipping. 




It's certainly no ordinary brief case! Looking more like something from a military bomb squad, the T90 Laser IV Briefing Case gives new meaning to football boots being your 'weapon'! While we can't see Wayne Rooney and co. carrying thier boots to training in this, Nike may have created the coolest brief case known to man!

Top 10 Biggest International Shirt Deals

International shirt deals are big business for the likes of Nike, Puma and adidas. They’re a valuable source of revenue as national pride grips nations in World Cup years, and a chance to align yourself with the best players and teams in the world.

But how much does it cost to sponsor a nation? We find out as we explore the Top 10 Biggest International Shirt Deals!

10. Uruguay – Puma – £3.5m a year.

Uruguay have been the surprise package of the last two major tournaments in world football. Uruguay have proved to be a shrewd investment for Puma, as they beat South American rivals Argentina and Brazil to become World Cup semi-finalists and Copa America Champions.

Though Puma had best watch their back – Uruguay’s deal with the German brand expires next year, and their new-found fame could well attract a big money deal from another brand.

9. Portugal – Nike – £4.8m

A team with star-power to spare, it shocks us to see Portugal in a relatively low spot on our Top 10 Biggest International Shirt Deals list!

Just to put it in a little perspective, Nike pay more per season for their individual sponsorship of Cristiano Ronaldo than they do for the whole Portuguese National Team – bonkers!

8. Argentina – adidas – £6.1m

Boasting the best player in the world in their ranks, Argentina are a valuable commodity in the footballing world right now.

Just as well, then, that adidas have got them tied up in a long-term deal until 2022, a term which will take in 3 more World Cups before expiring; that’s a serious commitment!

7. Netherlands – Nike – £6.5m

Ever since the 1970′s, the Netherlands have been revered as a country that produces some of the most entertaining football on the World Stage, and more than capable of churning out exceptional players.

Which is exactly why Nike have had such a long-standing agreement with the ‘Oranje’ of Holland, tying them up until 2018 in a deal that ranks 7th in our Top 10 Biggest International Shirt Deals.

6. Brazil – Nike – £10.5m

Whilst not at the same ‘feared-and-revered’ status of Selecao’s past, Nike have no doubt managed to capture an exciting time in Brazilian football.

As well as hosting a World Cup in 3 years time, Brazil have a host of exciting entertainers like Neymar, Ganso and Lucas breaking into the nation team. If their youngsters can fulfil their potential, the streets of Brazil could be flooded with Nike-branded Canary Yellow Jerseys for years to come.

5. Italy – Puma – £14.5m

Half-way up our list of the Top 10 Biggest International Shirt Deals are 2006 World Cup winners Italy. We’d have to guess that this deal was re-negotiated after the Azzurri pulled off a famous victory over France in Germany 2006, as the Italians flattered to deceive at Euro 2008 and South Africa 2010.

That said, the Italians have qualified unbeaten for Poland/Ukraine 2012, and will certainly be billed as Dark Horses heading into next year’s European Championships, something Puma will likely savour.

4. Germany – adidas – £17.5m

This one’s a no-brainer, as one of the longest-standing sponsorship deals in World Football, adidas and Germany have a mutually beneficial relationship with one another.

adidas ensure that their homeland’s talent is kitted out in their finest gear, whilst the German F.A. are so strongly pro-adidas they were caught forcing players to wear adidas football boots whilst playing for Germany as recently as 2006!
3. Spain – adidas – £21m

After decades as the ‘perennial dark horse’ of the international football scene, Spain have dominated the last two major tournaments with a scintillating brand of pass-and-move football.

adidas have been backing Spain since the 1980′s, and have them tied up in their current deal until 2018. Just as well, as if they were to renegotiate this year, we imagine they’d be a lot higher on our list of the Top 10 Biggest International Shirt Deals.

2. England – Umbro – £26m

About the only table you’re going to see England above Spain on any time soon, England are Umbro’s only deal in the top 10, but boy is it a doozy!

Whenever a new England Shirt is announced there’s always a considerable amount of hype surrounding it, generated by not just Umbro, but by the press, players and fans. It really is a national event, and it costs a pretty penny to be associated with it!

1. France – Nike – £37m

One of the biggest brand-changes in recent memory, Nike’s acquisition of the French national team came at a time of disharmony among Les Bleus.

After winning the World Cup and European Championship less than a decade prior, France began crashing out of international tournaments let, right and centre. So, it’s something of a gamble by Nike to give France the number one in our list of Top 10 Biggest International Shirt Deals. One which might need at least a few years to pay off.