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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During the past few weeks the leading football boot manufacturers have released a wide variety of new models and colourways. Despite the current economic climate, consumer choice continues to grow and expand with ever more speed.

The shelf life of football boots continues to shorten each year. With the World Cup coming up next year in South Africa, no matter what pair of football boots you’re currently lacing up you can bet your money they’ll be out of fashion in a matter of months. As for the “technology” incorporated into these football boots, they’ll be far “outdated”.

What could change?

Ronaldinho’s Dois football boots.

For Ronaldinho fans I’m sorry to say that I believe his signature line of boots may be dropped. The good news is Nike will be adding to their product range with the new Nike CTR360.

I’m also led to believe the ’shotshield’ technology is to be removed from the Laser III and I’d assume Nike will release an improved version of the Vapor in conjunction with the 2010 World Cup.

The current Nike Mercurial Vapor V

The other heavyweight adidas will also be developing their range. The next F50 is said to end the TUNiT system which could be replaced with traditional bladed studs.  Also on the horizon before the turn of the year is the Predator TruStrike, followed by the adiPure III shortly afterwards. All these new football boots to come and I haven’t even touched on the likes of Puma, Umbro, and Lotto amongst others.

Emmanuel Adebayor and the latest F50, the adidas F50i

As you may have guessed, I am a football boot nut and as a result enjoy having a broad selection of football boots to choose from, but I do sometimes feel like I am being fleeced when a slightly varied version of a boot is released, especially after just investing in a new boot. Many young footballers like to stay up to date with fashion these days, but its becoming even more expensive to do so.

It seems possible that NikeiD and miadidas may soon become obsolete. With an ever increasing selection of colours anyone can find a boot to match any kit or a boot that will make them stand out on the pitch and have them personalized to top it off.

Paying Homage to Heritage

In an industry where plastics and flash colours prevail, I have to pay my respects to the traditional football boot. Models like the the adidas Copa Mundial that have withstood the test of time and continue to offer quality comfort and touch.

The classicly styled adidas Copa Mundial

The newest editions of traditional football boots sometimes go unnoticed. The adiPure II, Puma King XL, and Nike Tiempo Legend III include the classic lines and traditional styling, but with updated materials, enhanced features and new design details. They are what a football boot should be about, but it seems all the marketing is geared towards the flash boots.

For this reason I have to give some praise to Umbro for reaching back to their roots in the designing of the new England kit and the soon to be released Speciali.

David Beckham in the new England Kit, with Umbro pitch side hoarding.

Umbro’s return to its heritage for inspiration reflects a growing trend for a return to simple football values. Umbro is first and foremost a football company and have acknowledged the growing demand in the football boot market for more traditional looking and styled football boots.

There is an over abundance of multi-coloured, eye-catching football boots available, but not every player wants to pull a pair of bright pink or neon green boots out of his bag before stepping out onto the pitch.

Are you one of them or do you like the brash, in-your-face designs currently out there? Let me know by commenting below.

By Matt Dawson

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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Competition is inherent in football - the game itself is based on it, and off the pitch there’s always talk of boardroom battles, bidding wars and mind games.

Away from the clubs themselves, the competition has been equally fierce between the sports brands; sponsorship deals on players, clubs, tournaments and even leagues are all opportunities for product placement by companies with unfathomable sums of money at their command.

Adias marketing at Euro 08

Competitions however have an candid characteristic: they have winners. I’ve grown up on the Nike Vs. Adidas competition, always assuming that both would always be there - but what if one of them achieved the impossible - what if one of them had complete market domination?

In one corner Adidas has an excellent reputation, their heritage is unrivalled (even involving a family feud with Puma!) and shows it in boots like the Copa Mundial and Samba, but they’re no slackers when it comes to research and development either, with their Predator range being arguably the most continuously innovative pair of boots on the market.

The Adidas Copa Mundial

However Adidas has always been something of the underdogs in this battle as Nike has always been (in terms of yearly profit) the ‘bigger company’. As such, Adidas seem to have developed a very defensive strategy; for example it’s not enough to have sponsorship rights to every World Cup since 1994 and through to 2014, but very recently have begun to pay extra to have no Nike adverts played whatsoever during the 64 games broadcast in the English language.

That’s not to say Adidas aren’t capable of taking the initiative, they’ve taken the fight to Nike on their own turf by becoming the official supplier to the MLS, providing all team kits, balls, referee uniforms and equipment. Also, in August 2005, Adidas bought Reebok, meaning that at the time, they were able to bring their business sales figures the closest to Nike’s that they’d ever been.

Adidas designed MLS shirts for Red Bull New York

In the other corner Nike; in the last decade or so have enjoyed a great share of the football boots and equipment market. Thanks to some excellent individual player sponsorship, the public in general are confident of the quality of Nike’s boots. However, the Nike name isn’t as ‘in your face’ as the Adidas brand, with Nike sponsoring far less of Europe’s major tournaments. Only match ball sponsorship in the English Premier League and the UEFA Cup/Europa League springing to mind - so how have they managed a majority share?

Nike has really shone with clever marketing schemes; I’d be willing to bet that 90% of this site’s readership have watched Christiano Ronaldo race a Bugatti Veyron in his Mercurial Vapors or seen Ronaldinho rattle the Nou Camp crossbar with impossible precision thanks to his signature boots; and that’s the reason why Nike don’t necessarily need the sponsorship clout that Adidas flaunt whenever possible.

Very expensive and totally ostentatious - the other one’s a Bugatti!

Not limited to the viral video plane, Nike have also matched Adidas in terms of growth - with Nike’s recent acquisition of Umbro (interestingly enough another Northern-English sports company) is an exciting statement of intent from the American company.

Realistically, both brands will continue in a long and prosperous fashion, but if you had to pick one - who do you think would come out on top - and why?

For once I’m going to come off the fence and say Nike - Adidas have had their financial pitfalls before (See: Bernard Tapie 1989 - 1993) which demonstrates they’re perhaps not as solid as they should be. In terms of products, Adidas are no longer the sole leaders in boot development like they were in 1990’s - Nike have stepped up their innovation recently with boots like the Superfly. Finally they’ve shown incredible creativity in the face of Adidas blocking a number of the conventional routes for advertising.

Coming soon, the Black / Yellow Superfly

But what do you think? Are you impressed by Adidas’ strong-arm sponsorship policies? Or should we be looking at some of the smaller companies who still survive every year thanks to their business models? Drop us a comment and let us know your thoughts!

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.

Umbro have released a brand new video aimed at promoting the launch of the 2009 FA Umbro Fives tournament.

Tottenham players Darren Bent and Michael Dawson are featured in the video, as both turn their hand to management, taking charge of a London side with their eyes firmly focussed on qualifying.

Filmed at the Goals Soccer Centre in Wembley, Bent and Dawson passed on a few tips to their respective charges who are hoping to go all the way to the finals of the tournament at Wembley.

The 2009 FA Umbro Fives tournament, which is now open for registration, is the nation’s most prestigious small sided football tournament aimed at finding the best five-a-side football team in the country. Now in its third year, teams will do battle up and down the country over the coming months intent on achieving one goal - a place in The FA Umbro Fives Finals at the home of English football - Wembley Stadium on the 20th June 2009.

The tournament, which is already underway, is open to both men’s and women’s teams of any ability that are over 18 years of age. Team’s can sign up to enter the qualifying heats online by simply logging on to the official site.

Each team that progresses to the final will be treated to the ultimate Wembley experience. As well as travelling on the England bus, they will get access to the main player changing rooms, walk out of the Wembley tunnel and sing the national anthem on the pitch with the other finalists. The overall winners of the tournament will climb the famous Wembley steps to receive their trophy.

For your chance to put you and your team mates on the road to Wembley glory, simply enter your team and find out about your local heats by logging on to www.TheFA.com/UmbroFives.

What a difference a year or so makes. Earlier this week, Footy Boots brought you a fantastic image of Wayne Rooney, walking the streets in his pristine, new England kit followed by a pack of 3 Lions.

The image was issued under the Umbro banner which, as they make the kit, isn’t too surprising. However, the fact that Rooney was the sole player involved is. For the reasons why, we need to go back to when the last England kit was launched.

Wayne Rooney shows off the new England home kit

On that occasion, an almighty row broke out between Umbro and Nike. Nike was concerned that group pictures of England players, including Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Robinson, could be easily edited in such a way that individual images of the players could be used on point of sale materials. This would have gone against the personal deals each player had with Nike at the time.

Furthermore, Umbro’s deal with the FA, as then and now, specifies that all England players must only appear in groups of four or more for promotional purposes in order to prevent exploitation of those individuals who have deals with other competing sportswear brands.

The dispute reached such a level that the FA was forced to step in and find a compromise to keep both brands happy.

The latest England home kit

This time round things have gone a different way. As they now own Umbro, Nike have decided to yield somewhat. This could be because they’ve come over all ‘ultra generous’ though it’s more likely that someone has pointed out that the profits from England shirt and kit sales will end up in the Oregon treasure chest. Indeed, as was reported in the Daily Telegraph, Nike even had a hand in preparing the Rooney picture. Good job they remembered to stick him in a striking pair of Total 90 Laser II’s!

One thing is certain. The launch of the new England kit saw Umbro raise their game considerably which was understandable with their new Nike paymasters watching closely on. Previous England kit launches have gone spectacularly wrong. This one, with its cloak and dagger build up went off OK, though getting the players to remove their tracksuits moments before the National Anthem for maximum affect probably wasn’t the best call of all time.

Background material from Harbottle & Lewis