Jack Butland Debuts Revolutionary Strapless Nike Goalkeeper Gloves
Mar 4, 2018, by Chris
Stoke City and England goalkeeper Jack Butland has become the first player to wear Nike's all-new revolutionary Mercurial Touch Elite keeper gloves in an official match.
Jack Butland Debuts Nike Mercurial Touch Elite Goalkeeper Gloves
Close-up pictures of Jack Butland's keeper gloves.
The Nike Mercurial Touch Elite gloves are completely different to previous goalkeeper gloves. By reducing the bulk and stiffness of traditional mitts, the gloves are designed to unleash the ultimate potential of a goalkeeper's hands. The strap has been replaced by a flexible wrist cuff that extends from the joint to the lower forearm for mobility and comfort.
"The initial reaction is always, ‘Whoa!' because they just look so different and cool," says English keeper Jack Butland, who was part of the product-testing process. "But it's when you play in them that the performance benefits come through. I feel like I have a lot more control in these gloves and they can help take me to the next level."
If you want the all-new strapless Nike Mercurial Touch Elite keeper gloves you have to wait until their official launch in May 2018.
What do you think of the strapless Nike Mercurial Touch Elite keeper gloves? Have you spotted other goalkeepers wearing them? Let us know in the comments below.
What If Adidas Made Barcelona Kits?
Kit collector and insider @memorabilia1899 has shared an intriguing concept imagining how FC Barcelona would look if Adidas were the club's technical sponsor. Despite Barcelona having a long-term partnership with Nike extended through 2038, the fantasy of the German sportswear giant designing the Blaugrana's kits continues to spark conversation among football shirt enthusiasts.
The Adidas Barcelona concept leans heavily into retro aesthetics, combining classic vertical red and blue stripes with the iconic Trefoil logo on the chest. A dark blue polo collar, styled with 'BARÇA 1899' detailing, is paired with gold-orange accents seen across the Three Stripes on the shoulders and the centered Spotify sponsor logo. The full look is completed by navy blue shorts and matching socks.
Would you like to see Adidas manufacture Barcelona kits in the future, or does Nike remain the perfect fit for the Catalan giants?
VfL Osnabrück 26-27 Special DFB-Pokal Kit Released - Worn Against Bayern Munich
German club VfL Osnabrück have unveiled a special kit for their DFB-Pokal first-round clash against FC Bayern Munich. Manufactured by Capelli Sport, the one-off jersey pays homage to one of the biggest cup upsets in German football history, when Osnabrück defeated Bayern 5-4 at the Olympiastadion in Munich on September 23, 1978.
The Osnabrück 26-27 DFB-Pokal special shirt closely mirrors the clean aesthetic worn during that historic 1978 triumph. Predominantly white, it features a bold retro polo collar and matching sleeve cuffs in Osnabrück's signature purple.
Completing the look, the special edition kit is paired with matching white shorts and socks accented by purple detailing. The kit will be worn exclusively during the home cup tie against Bayern Munich at the Bremer Brücke and is available through the club's official retail channels.
Sergio Camello Scores Against Barcelona in White Adidas Predator 94 Remake Boots
Rayo Vallecano forward Sergio Camello delivered a notable boot spotting during their La Liga clash against FC Barcelona, taking to the pitch in the white Adidas Predator 94 remake boots. The Spanish striker put the heritage silhouette in the spotlight at Spotify Camp Nou, finding the back of the net twice while laced up in the inverted 1994 classic featuring a white base, black Three Stripes, and small, signature red accents.
