It wasn’t that long ago that seeing a player wearing a pair of white football boots was something of a rarity.

Indeed, the names of Alan ‘Gladys’ Hinton and Alan Ball are still talked about today after they famously donned white boots over 30 years ago. Take a look at Hinton’s entry in Wikipedia and the second sentence reads: He famously wore white boots. Bearing in mind that he had a 17 year long career and played for England three times, scoring once, that pretty much sums up the impact his footwear had at the time.

But now, white football boots seem to be all the rage – certainly if you check out the choices of the England team that played Slovenia at the weekend.

Of course, over recent months, England have always had a few players for whom white football boots were the norm. Captain John Terry has worn the England Speciali and the Speciali in White / Red. Frank, Frank Lampard is rarely seen without his trusty pair of adidas adiPure II Rome’s and Glen Johnson, Lotto’s biggest name player in the UK, is a familiar sight in his White / Black / Red Zhero Leggenda Tre’s.

Now, perhaps it’s something to do with the all white, Umbro kit but Terry, Lampard and Johnson were joined at Wembley by a whole clutch of their team-mates who decided that white was right.

Shaun Wright-Phillips took to the field wearing a pair of White /Black / Red adidas F50i’s, a decision that was replicated by second half substitute and goalscorer Jermain Defoe.

As the other substitutes came on, so the number of white football boots increased. Carlton Cole arrived in a pair of Nike Tiempo Air legend II’s in White / White (and you don’t get much whiter than that), while midfielder Michael Carrick strutted his stuff in the White / Black PUMA King XL’s.

Seven players out of the squad in white football boots is a decent number, and with a bit of poetic licence, you could increase that number to nine by including Ashley Cole in his White / Blue PUMA v1.08’s and Joleon Lescott in his White / Red Nike Total 90 Laser II’s.

So, out of that lot, what’s your choice of the best white football boot out of the current crop as modelled by England’s finest?

Let us know by commenting below.

John Terry debuted the Umbro Speciali football boots when he captained England to a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in August 2009.

There’s no getting away from the Umbro Speciali range right now. Umbro have been going to town in marketing this football boot and they have been doing so in style.

Their latest offering in the range is this plain, but classy, white red version of the Speciali, which made its debut on the feet of England skipper John Terry against Holland.

Whilst Terry did his best to hold the England defence together despite a series of schoolboy mistakes, he will have felt assured that his appearance in these football boots was top notch.

John Terry’s customised Speciali White Red.

John Terry’s customised Umbro Speciali football boots featured the names of his children (Georgie & John), the match insignia and of course the St. George’s Cross.

John Terry commented:

The new Speciali is the best football boot Umbro has ever built. I’ve been testing it out and it’s not only a stylish and functional boot, but also gives the perfect fit and comfort I need to play at this level.

This football boot features a specially designed sole-plate for Terry, different than the SG model available on general sale. You can also expect to see Arsenal’s Gaël Clichy wearing this colourway for the Gunners this season in the Premier League.

Umbro Speciali Highlights 

• The football boot’s premium soft leather creates outstanding fit
• The A-Frame design has become a central functional component for the new Speciali, cradling the mid-foot and securing the heel
• The high density memory foam in the tongue and collar maintains its shape
• There are fast flex grooves in the outsole for greater flexibility
• It’s the lightest Speciali Umbro have ever made

The Umbro Speciali red white will be available in the UK shops from September, but our US visitors can order them now - order.

Learn about this football boot by reading the Speciali Review

Image attribution: umbrofootball

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So, what a week it’s been in the world of football boots! Topping the list of talking points has to be the John Terry ‘adidas vs Umbro’ battle (with ‘Chelsea vs. Man City’ undercurrents). 

One debate that this convulted tale has thrown up is the idea of player obligation to their sponsor during the pre-season; in a perfect world a player would spend pre-season deciding what boots best suit him, decide which they love by the first game of the season and subsequently be sponsored for doing so; but as we all know this is not the case!

So when a player decides to ‘test drive’ a pair of boots from another brand in a training session or pre-season friendly there are many things that people can read into it; i.e. the player is not happy with his current boots or maybe his team-mate has recommended a pair that he feels would suit their style. But sometimes the reason is far more pedestrian, or in Umbro’s case; downright bizarre.

So, why all the fuss about a preseason kickabout - surely it’s the best time to try out other boots?

As a fan and boots anorak, I love to see players really considering their choice in boots in the summer months - placing the same amount of thought you or I do in what boot best suits their game. I’m a Leeds United fan (stop laughing/jeering at the back!) and during last year’s pre-season matches I watched Jermaine Beckford test 3 pairs of boots (f50.8, Vapor III and adiPure, for those interested) before settling on the tunit range for the rest of the season.

However, as difficult as it may be to summon sympathy for multi-billion pound conglomorates; is it fair on the sponsors to see players trailing another company’s wares? In short, no. While a player is signed to a boots company he really should be playing in their boots - pre season, summer tournament or mid-season.

It matters most  for teams like Chelsea, Barcelona, AC Milan and Manchester United - where the pre-season usually involves some pretty far flung travels - so for sponsors of the players on these teams this is a great opportunity to see their boots reach a new audience - for example, during Real Madrid’s notorious 2003 pre-season of the Far East; can you imagine how many extra pairs of ‘Beckham-San’ colourway Predators adidas sold?

A great example of a happy medium is Ashley Cole’s recent trials of Puma’s speed boot, the v1.08, which has been a fantastic example of a player doing things respectfully - while his contract is up from negotiation, see which brand best represents his interests as a player and find out which boot that they produce that best compliments his style of play.

Personally, I’d like to see that all sponsorship contracts run in terms of seasons, with the pre-season and post-season exempt from their contracts which I think would work on several levels:

Firstly, it’d be added incentive for the players - if they want additional sponsorship for the summer tournaments like World Cups, European Championships or Confederations Cup they’d obviously be having to play well enough to be selected for the national team.

This would also work well for the sponsors, as they wouldn’t be paying money for players to be wearing their boots who aren’t actually playing during the summer.

Secondly, it’d be a constant push for manufacturers to be at the top of their game - players are tied to boot manufacturers for years at a time, so they always get the latest models and colours but then you see Luka Modric and Yossi Benayoun playing in older versions of the Mercurial Vapor range and Kaka in modified adiPure I’s so they’re clearly not too bigger fans of the newer models. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see what they really prefer playing in when there’s no money involved?

However - the Chelsea ‘Bootgate’ scandal was enough to get the Footy Boots users posting and speculating in droves, perhaps it’s hypocritical to say I don’t enjoy the rumourmill as much as everyone else!

Much as Umbro would probably like this story to go away, sadly for them it doesn’t look like doing so.

John Terry in adidas adiPURE II football boots, Chelsea Vs Inter Milan.

John Terry, England and Chelsea captain and regarded as ‘Mr Umbro’ in the UK, has now been spotted in adidas boots not once but twice whilst on Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the USA.

The timeline goes like this. Terry plays against Seattle Sounders in his trademark Umbro Speciali football boots, but by the time he returns to the training ground the following day, he’s swapped them for a pair of Black / White adidas adiPure II’s.

At that point Footy Boots contacted Umbro about the situation and were told:

Umbro was fully aware that John was training in these boots due to a delay in transit of his new Umbro Speciali boots. We had full dialogue directly with John about the matter and his new Specialis are now with him and he looks forward to playing in them.

Strange then that in last night’s encounter with Inter Milan, which Chelsea won 2 - 0, Terry played in a pair adiPure II’s, though it was clear that measures had been taken to mask the more obvious adidas features.

Adidas had this to say:

We are unsure why John Terry is wearing the adiPure II football boot, however they are a fantastic classic leather boot.

We can only assume therefore, that either his new Speciali’s were delayed again despite Umbro’s statement to the contrary or that the player himself is making the decision not to wear them.

Either way, it doesn’t reflect well on Umbro particularly as previous reports had linked them with Manchester City’s bid for the Chelsea player, the kit manufacturer having recently enterred in to a 10 year deal with the Eastlands club. Even now there is talk that City are preparing a fourth bid for Terry in the region of £40 million.

Old team mates, Freddie Ljungberg and Ashley Cole in Puma V1.08 football boots.

Meanwhile, Terry’s Chelsea and England team mate Ashley Cole also seems to have switched boots. An adidas man, who last used the new F50i playing for England last month, has trained and played in the new Royal / White / Black colourway of the PUMA v1.08.

Cole will have had plenty of intimate knowledge of the v1.08 as Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka wore them as he topped the Premier League scoring charts last season.

However, PUMA have confirmed Ashley Cole hasn’t signed a deal with them and isn’t under contract.

Whilst Adidas confirmed that Cole is no longer in contract with them:

  Ashley Cole’s contract came to a natural end at the close of last season, the player and adidas have decided not to renew the contract.

John Terry is regarded as Mr Chelsea amongst the London club’s fans and indeed, even by supporters of other teams. He came through the Chelsea youth system, he’s the club captain and if you cut him, he’d probably bleed blue blood. But, is the Terry shade of blue about to get lighter?

Despite a handful of games on loan at Nottingham Forest, Terry is very much a one-club man. His performances have also seen him given the job of England captain as well as becoming the living embodiment of the Chelsea creed.

Terry celebrates Chelsea’s success in last season’s FA Cup final

However, it seems that Terry is being wooed by a club that finished 10th in the Premier League last season, a club that hasn’t qualified for Europe and one that hasn’t lifted a trophy since 1976 - Manchester City.

City do of course have one or two attractions. They are thought to be the wealthiest football club in the world, after being bought by the Abu Dhabi United Group in September 2008 and as a result they are attracting players that would not normally consider a club with such a pedigree. They also have a sposnorship deal with Umbro, who since being acquired by Nike, look to be getting their act together.

The home of Manchester City

It’s certainly an act that has caught the eye. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, journalist Jason Burt has been investigating just what influence Umbro might have, if any, of getting Terry to move north. As he discovers, there are number of interesting connections.

First off there’s City’s chief executive. Garry Cook is a former employee of Nike who now own Umbro.

One of Cook’s priorities when he took on the job was to change the club’s kit manufacturer. So out went Le Coq Sportif and in came Umbro who’ve signed a 10 year brand partnership.

City and Umbro’s new shirt ‘teaser’ ahead of the retail launch on 18th July 

Umbro are currently marketing themselves as the ‘English’ brand. The recent England shirt campaign emphasising the point with the ‘Tailored by Umbro in England’ strapline. And they don’t get much more English than JT.

As Burt points out, it’s natural to assume that Cook probably spoke to Umbro about his plans to sign the Chelsea defender.

Which brings us to another connection. Umbro sponsor Terry. He wears the Umbro Speciali football boot, was chosen to debut the England Speciali when it was launched and was also widely used to model the new England kit.

Umbro England Speciali

As well as manufacturing City’s new kit, Umbro are making the City Speciali too – a Limited Edition boot with the club crest on the sole plate. Imagine the sales if Terry was to wear that at the beginning of the new season!

Umbro Limited Edition Manchester City Speciali

Although Chelsea have continually said that Terry is not for sale, you only have to look at the recent deals involving Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo to realize that a) we’ve heard that line before and b) money talks.

As Burt suggests in his Daily Telegraph piece: Cook’s strength is marketing and brand awareness and its unthinkable that in his discussions over Terry and the eye-watering salary City are prepared to pay him, plus the huge transfer fee for a 28-year-old, that he has not factored in the money that can be recouped through the close links the club and the player have with Umbro.

Terry wearing the new Umbro England kit v Andorra earlier this summer

It also shows, perhaps, the direction in which more and more proposed transfer deals are moving. Its increasingly a business transaction as much, if not more, than a sporting one.

A lot of us football boot enthusiasts—myself included—love to debate over boots and their manufacturers, and much time has been spent examining and arguing over which ‘brand’ is king.

Now, imagine a game where players were not divided by club or country, but instead by their allegiance to their boot manufacturer. A one-off game, or perhaps a tournament, to decide the best boot company based on the athletes which have chosen to support that ‘team’. Who would the companies choose to field in such an important game?

This week on ‘From The Sole’, I decided to have a go at arranging three Fantasy XI’s (as we love to do around here) based on such requirements. I gave heavy-hitters adidas and Nike their own squads, and also put together a ‘world brand’ side that encompasses the rest of the boot makers: Puma, Lotto, Mizuno, Umbro, Reebok, Diadora, Kappa, Lotto, and Under Armour.

The results were naturally three very impressive squads that I attempted to pick with teamwork, technique, and chemistry being the most important factors.

Team adidas – aka the ‘Triple Stripes’

GK: Edwin Van Der Sar (Predator PowerSwerve)
LB: Philip Lahm (adiPure II)
CB: Per Mertesacker (Predator PowerSwerve)
CB: Martin Demichelis (Predator PowerSwerve)
RB: Jose Bosingwa (adiPure II)

Jose Bosingwa

Defense: Edwin gets the nod over Petr Cech, who’s seemed shaky at times for Chelsea in 08-09. The monstrous 6’6” Mertesacker is chosen at the back to dominate in the air. Lahm, a promising (and already world-class) wingback, and Bosingwa, who had a great season with Chelsea, are also chosen along with the experienced Demichelis.

DMF: Xavi (Predator PowerSwerve)
CMF: Steven Gerrard (Predator PowerSwerve)
LMF: Robin van Persie (Predator PowerSwerve)
RMF: Lionel Messi (F50i)*
AMF/SS: Kaka (adiPure II)
CF: David Villa (F50.i)
* Messi has opted for a pair of F30’s over the F50’s.

David Villa

Mid/Attack: A passing based offence is coordinated by maestros Xavi and Gerrard, the latter of which can add a lot to the attack in the final third as well. Van Persie plays best when surrounded by other talented individuals, and will provide a strong left-footed cross while Messi terrorizes the right side with his dribbling abilities. Kaka’s crafty touch and Villa’s merciless finish round out a deadly and tactical attack.

Notable Exclusions: Frank Lampard, Daniele De Rossi, David Silva, David Beckham, Petr Cech, Michael Ballack, Dimitar Berbatov, Marcos Senna, Gabriel Milito, Ashley Cole, Gonzalo Higuain

Why? Lampard is excluded, as he can’t seem to find the right rhythm with Gerrard when they play together. Ballack too is left out, as I don’t feel he’d fit in as well with this passing-based flow. I chose Villa over Higuain, as I think Villa is a little more accomplished.
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Chelsea won the Cup, Hiddink has returned to Russia, Manchester United can go on their holiday’s celebrating a treble – domestic season done and dusted. Well, not quite.

There remains the question surrounding Jose Bosingwa’s boots worn during the FA Cup final victory over Everton.

The Portuguese international has worn adidas competitively all season although there has been the odd occasion where he’s been pictured in training wearing the Umbro Speciali.

As the build up to the final intensified, Bosingwa wore his adiPure II’s as recently as last Wednesday but by Friday, he was once again in the Speciali, the boot he ultimately decided to wear in the big game, as did his team mate John Terry though he had a fully customised version.

Additionally, Bosingwa looked to have removed or blacked out the Umbro logos from the boots, though the imprinted logo on the sole was clearly visible throughout the match.

Bosingwa in action in adidas earlier this season

Footy Boots asked both adidas and Umbro for reaction to Bosingwa’s actions and adidas have been in touch with the following quote:

Jose Bosingwa is not sponsored by adidas but chose to wear adiPure boots during a successful season for Chelsea FC.

So there you have it. Mystery explained.

Having enjoyed two major European finals over the past couple of weeks, the football world’s attention now turns to Wembley and the most famous cup final of them all, the FA Cup.

The London stadium will be packed and millions will tune in via live television as Everton and Chelsea go head to head on Saturday.

Some of players have been quoted as saying the game is too close to call – Chelsea with perhaps the edge on individual talent but Everton with all the discipline in the world and a marvellous team ethic.

Here’s the Footy Boots guide to where the match might be won and lost and to the football boots of the players that will doubtless hit the headlines.

Anelka v Baines

Nicolas Anelka has been a revelation since Guus Hiddink took over the reigns at Chelsea and he ended the season as the Premier League’s top scorer. Kitted out in his Puma v1.08’s, the Frenchman is expected to start on the right of a 3 man Chelsea attack although he’s shown many times already this campaign that he can cut through the middle with equally devastating affect.

But when stationed on the right of Drogba and Malouda, it’ll be the job of Everton’s Leighton Baines in his adidas Predator Control boots to keep him quiet as well as covering for Lescott and Yobo in the centre of defence.

Anelka has enjoyed great success in the Puma v1.08 Camo

Lampard v Neville

Frank Lampard is one of the best in the world at breaking from midfield. His seasonal goal tally is testament to that. Having declared himself as fully fit, the Londoner will be desperate to end the season with some silverware in the cabinet to ease the pain of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final exit.

Being such an ominous threat, Everton are expected to put a man-marker on the England international and Phil Neville is favourite for the job. And, even better for us, is that with both players in adidas, it’s going to be an adiPure battle royal.

Lampard and Neville both go for the adiPure II

Cahill & Lescott v Terry & Alex.

Not a classic encounter as in forwards versus defenders, but more a reflection on the ariel threat the Everton duo will pose, particularly from set plays.

Both of them will be looking for that all-important spring from their Cup Final footwear, Cahill, in his Predator Powerswerves and Lescott in Nike Total 90 Laser II’s. So Alex (Nike Air Legend II) and Terry (Umbro SX Valor II - though he’s been training in the Speciali) will need to be on their collective guard.

Can the Total 90 Laser II propell Lescott to success?

Footy Boots prediction.

Chelsea by a whisker.

Home Page image from Wembley.com

Over the years, the Umbro Speciali has been associated with a number of high profile professionals, most notably Alan Shearer who scored the majority of his 313 career goals in the Umbro footwear.

Plus there have been one or two outstanding goals created by Speciali clad players – Michael owen’s solo run and strike against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup and the outrageous, bending free kick by Roberto Carlos in 1997 at Le Tournoi.

The boot has now been brought bang up to date whilst retaining a sense of British style including a flash of British Racing Green. It’s currently available on pre-order and will be on retail sale from 1st July at £79.99.

John Terry will be the most notable player wearing the boot in the Premier League and he’ll be joined on international duty by the England manager Fabio Capello who will wear the boot during squad training sessions for the next round of the World Cup qualifiers.

Right now, several of the England U21 squad, including Nedum Onuoha and Michael Mancienne, are wearing the boot out in Sweden.

Umbro Speciali Highlights

Umbro has designed a boot that builds upon Speciali’s traditional values with incredible comfort, improved control, increased accuracy and additional power.
The boot’s famous premium soft leather creates outstanding fit, delivering supreme touch, accuracy and control.
The eye catching A-Frame design has become a central functional component for the new Speciali, cradling the mid-foot and securing the heel.
The new flash of British Racing Green adds a nostalgic sense of Umbro’s British roots.
The high density memory foam in the tongue and collar maintains its shape.
There are fast flex grooves in the outsole for greater flexibility.
The lightweight precision studs are engineered with aircraft grade aluminium.
It’s the lightest Speciali Umbro have ever made.

England and Chelsea captain John Terry commented:

The new Speciali is the best boot Umbro has ever built. I’ve been testing it out and it’s not only a stylish and functional boot, but also gives the perfect fit and comfort I need to play at this level.

Learn more about this football boot by reading the Footy Boots Speciali Review 

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The modern football boot often claims to suit specific playing types and specific player positions. Fast strikers, exceptional wingers, midfield dynamos, all seem to have a wealth of football boots structured and advertised for those positions. But, what about defenders?

Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris and Bobby Charlton 1973. Chopper Harris is regarded as one of the toughest defenders of all time, an ideal candidate for our defenders football boot.

We’ve already seen the success that companies have enjoyed by associating player styles to specific boots; Air Legend II’s and Fabregas, Predator PowerSwerve’s and Gerrard, the list goes on. Could coupling the endorsement of a world-class centreback with a completely new pair of football boots designed specifically for his job on the pitch be another smash success?

Currently, three options from three manufacturers offer a glimpse of what a defender-oriented boot could offer, but none of these strive purely to be the choice of the back-line athlete.

Nike sponsored Fabio Cannavaro; Cannavaro opts for a set of Total 90 Laser II’s, a versatile and popular all-around choice, though their image is namely power and attacking due to the play of their best-known user, Wayne Rooney.

Cannavaro’s Total 90 Laser II

Umbro’s talismanic endorsee John Terry has been wearing the SX Valor II, but are these boots really aimed at back-line players? Haven’t they lost a little credibility after the 2008 Champions League slip?

Lastly, there are the Puma v-Konstrukt III, worn and advertised by Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic. While these are certainly the closest I’ve come to seeing a “pro-defender” model, with their emphasis on protection of the foot and safer ball control via a ‘glove-like fit’, in my eyes these also fail to set themselves apart as a premium must-buy for back-line types.

Innovating for Defenders

There is room for improvement. Defender oriented football boots would need to feature some innovations purely directed towards the backline player, and strive harder to be the first choice of the last line of defence. I came up with a concept that aims to do this:

Firstly, this boot would feature a bright, distinctly coloured heel to help linesmen better detect an offside. Contrasting with the pitch and the rest of the player’s football boot, this addition would make for an easier sightline for linesmen making that tricky call. Sounds gimmicky? It would be a hit with defenders looking for anything that might give them a slight edge and get that offside call.

Secondly, such a boot would be relatively heavier than others on the market, making it better for “hoofing” balls out of the danger area and avoiding disastrous soft-touches that result in own-goals, or clear breaks for opposition strikers. Additionally the heel counter would be stiff to enhance the durability of the boot and keep the feet of the player safe during all those firm tackles and scrambles in the box. These attributes would make for a heftier football boot that could be marketed as tough, reliable, and gritty… just like an ideal defender.

The football boot of choice of Nemanja Vidic, the Puma v-Konstrukt III

Thirdly, I’d suggest the new boots would be built with ‘shot shield’ technology and off-centre lacing to help eliminate the possibility of a miss-touch or a loose boot at the worst possible time. These minor details may seem trivial, but in front of net, no chances can be taken.

Lastly, a proper name would be required to emphasise this imaginary football boot’s lofty aim to be the #1 choice of defenders worldwide.

Fellow Footy Boots contributor Andy suggested one I rather liked – the Row Z’s – nicely capturing the defensive mindset of the boot.

Stick it in the stands son!

My personal choice was something much less creative – the Zero – a name purely with strategic marketing in mind, my imagination already having filmed the commercial: “Zero Chances. Zero Goals. Zero Regrets. Zero.”

Regardless of how the imagination runs away with such an idea, this seems to be an area on the pitch where players have yet to been offered a boot to call their own. What would you name such a creation? Or better yet, what would you include in your defender-based design? Let us know by using the comments section below.

It’s been confirmed that new version of the Umbro Speciali will be launched on 1st June.

The boots, which will be worn by the likes of John Terry, Deco and Michael Owen, have already been spotted on a couple of occasions.

Terry wore them in Chelsea’s Champions League semi final defeat to Barcelona while Owen was pictured in them after he turned out for Newcastle during their 3 -0 loss away to Liverpool.

The new football boots come in at least two colourways including Black / White and Black / Racing Green and form part of the Umbro Speciali family along with the Limited Edition England boots, as first worn by John Terry in the international at Wembley against Slovakia. Price is expected to be around £80.

The launch date of 1st June is two days after the FA Cup final and could prove significant as the England captain is bound to feature for the London club against Everton. Retail sales will begin in July.

Limited Edition England Speciali

It’s thought that Owen was instrumental in giving the designers feedback after being spotted training and playing in blacked out boots earlier this year.

Two games played and both Champions League semi finals are on a knife edge.

Chelsea’s brave defensive display earned them a draw at Barcelona but they’ll have to be careful at Stamford Bridge as an away goal for the Spanish side will see Chelsea needing to score twice.

By the same token, Arsenal will have to overturn Manchester United’s 1 goal advantage at the Emirates, whilst a goal there for Sir Alex Ferguson’s  team means the Gunners will have to find the net 3 times.

That aside, what we witnessed this week were 4 very good sides, all with collective and individual brilliance.

Which got us thinking – what would be our Champions League, semi final fantasy XI?

After much debate, argument and shouting, the Footy Boots office was split. The boss had his choice:

Alumina - Nike Total 90 Laser II

O’Shea - Adidas adiPure II  Ferdinand - NikeT90 Laser II  Terry - Umbro SX Valor II  Evra - Nike T90 Laser II

Yaya Toure - Nike Tiempo Legend II  Anderson - Adidas Predator Powerswerve   Fabregas - Nike Tiempo legend II

Messi - Adidas F50.9 TUNiT  Ronaldo - Nike Mercurial Superfly

Drogba - Nike Mercurial Superfly

The rest of the office came up with this:

Cech- Adidas Predator Powerserve Rome

Alves - Nike Mercurial Superfly  Terry - Umbro SX Valor II  Ferdinand - Nike T90 Laser II  Evra - Nike T90 Laser II

Iniesta - Nike T90 Laser II  Yaya Toure - Nike Tiempo Legend II  Giggs - Reebok Sprintfit Lite Pro

Messi - Adidas F50.9 TUNiT  Rooney - Nike T90 Laser II  Ronaldo - Nike Mercurial Superfly

So, do you agree or have your own opinion?

Use the comments section below to let us know how your fantasy side shapes up and we’ll poll the votes for each individual player and publish the definitive XI on Tuesday.

Even for the non-committed, it doesn’t get much tastier than Barcelona v Chelsea in the Champions League, semi final, first leg.

While supporters of Manchester United and Arsenal will doubtless argue that the ‘really important game’ doesn’t take place until Wednesday, the clash between the Spanish and English giants represents all that is good about Europe’s premier club competition.

Many experts are predicting that the game could be all over after the initial match up. And judging by the way that Barcelona sauntered past Bayern Munich in the last round they could be right. Chelsea, of course, were magnificent against Liverpool at Anfield but nearly blew it at home in the return leg.

So, just what will be the deciding factor in tonight’s game. The Footy Boots view is that it’s very much how Barcelona’s forward line will profit against Chelsea’s re-jigged defence.

And, as well as promising to be a gargantuan battle between individuals, it also offers a fascinating battle between football boot brands.

Barcelona’s Front Line

Lionel Messi – Adidas F50.9 TUNiT (Signature Line)

What superlatives haven’t already been used about Barca’s outrageously talented Argentinian international? The simple facts are that he’s the leading scorer in the CL this season with 8 goals from 9 matches.

Thierry Henry – Reebok Sprintfit Lite Pro

Still with a soft spot for Arsenal, Thierry Henry will relish the chance of taking on one of their closest rivals. His sticky start at Barcelona is now but a distant memory and he is an integral part of the Catalan side.

Samuel Eto’o – Puma v1.08

Puma clad Samuel Eto’o completes the Barcelona spear head. He recently scored his 100th league goal for the club and has 30 this season. Is in Barcelona’s all-time top ten list of goalscorers.

Chelsea’s last line

John Terry – Umbro SX Valor II / England Speciali

The England captain was suspended for the second leg of the quarter final against Liverpool and was sorely missed. Knows all about the threat of Henry after some famous duels in the EPL. Will need to be at his obdurate best to blunt the rapier attacks of the home side.

Alex – Nike Total 90 Laser II

Boy, can he hit them in his Nike footwear! It was Alex’s ferocious free kick that settled the nerves against Liverpool 2 weeks ago. With Carvalho suspended, Alex can expect a stern examination at the heart of the visitors defence.

Jose Bosingwa – Adidas adiPure II

Expected to move from right back to left back to cover the suspended Ashley Cole. Won’t have much to do tonight…..apart from mark Lionel Messi. So, no pressure then. His speed could just get him out of a few problems.

Branislav Ivanovic – Nike Total 90 Laser II

The unlikely hero from the Liverpool tie with 2 headed goals from the first leg. Unlikely to be given as much freedom in the Barcelona penalty box. That is, if he’s brave enough to venture over the half way line.

Followers of Michael Owen will have noticed that the Newcastle striker has been training and playing in blacked out boots of late.

The fact that he hasn’t been wearing his usual branded footwear has led people to ask if the former England international has fallen out with Umbro, his boot suppliers of many years.

However, the official word from Umbro is that Owen is testing a new boot for them and that the relationship between the brand and the player remains.

England fans will remember that John Terry also trained in blacked out boots before the friendly with Slovakia when the national captain debuted a pair of England Speciali boots. It’s thought that Owen could be trialling a non-England version. Indeed, the cat might have been let out of the bag by Owen’s former Newcastle team mate Nolberto Solano who’s now back playing in Peru. He’s already announced that he’ll be wearing new Umbro Speciali football boots next season.

England Speciali football boots

Meanwhile, Nike say that there is still no date set in stone for the re-release of the Mercurial Vapor Superfly.

Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly

The original public launch date was postponed after Footy Boots highlighted that the boots had a tendency to rip after heavy challenges. Didier Drogba, Andrey Arshavin and Luis Fabiano all suffered with the same problem in early games with the boot, though it must be said that certainly Drogba and Arshavin have prospered in it of late.

Luis Fabiano’s ripped Superfly

Despite this, the company remains confident that players wishing to buy the Superfly will be able to do so in plenty of time to prepare for next season.

However, Nike has confirmed that the current colourway being used by the pro’s (Max Orange / Abyss / Silver) won’t be used for the relaunch.