Joao Cancelo Is Man City's New Number 7 - Reminiscent Of Gallas 10 at Arsenal
Manchester City right wing-back Joao Cancelo will wear the number 7 shirt - usually reserved for out and out attackers - from the 22-23 season onwards, vacating his number 27 after former number 7 Raheem Sterling left the club for Chelsea.
Joao Cancelo Switches to 7
Players changing shirt numbers is a fairly regular occurrence, with the most coveted being numbers 1-11. This stems from the old days when players didn't have designated numbers and the starting players on each matchday would wear the shirt corresponding to their position. Although we now have fixed squad numbers, players are still usually keen to get their hands on "first team" numbers when available.
Cancelo chose the 27 jersey (his birthday is May 27th) when he joined City from Juventus in 2019, with the number 2 - most commonly associated with right-backs - already taken by Kyle Walker. With Raheem Sterling now gone to Chelsea, Cancelo has joined the single digit club by snagging the number 7 shirt.
This has raised a few eyebrows thanks to the shirt's association with forwards and right wingers. Cancelo plays most often as a right back, so for some people this change feels wrong, but in his defence he is also an excellent attacker and could easily play in a solely attacking role. The tag of "right-back" means that for the purists he should be wearing the number 2, or at a push, either 3,4,5 or 6, which were traditionally defender's numbers, although he has also worn 7 in the past for both Inter and Valencia.
Gallas the Trendsetter?
Cancelo has a predecessor in this regard, someone who flouted the unwritten shirt number rules much more flagrantly. French centre back, William Gallas, was infamously allowed to have the number 10 shirt at Arsenal when he made the move from Stamford Bridge in 2006. A talented defender, sure, but one not known for his attacking prowess. Manager at the time, Arsene Wenger, explained the decision to give him the playmaker/striker's number:
"Number three was uncomfortable for him and I had given the rest of the numbers out. In the end I thought it might be a good idea to give the number ten to a defender, because a striker would suffer a lot with the comparison with Dennis (Bergkamp). At first I was reluctant to give Dennis's number out, and especially to a defender, but overall I think it's better that way."
Gallas was made club captain in 2007 and scored an impressive six goals in Arsenal's 08-09 Champions League campaign, although his time at the club was marred somewhat by off and on-field controversies. Cancelo, on the other hand, seems a consummate professional and has proved very consistent for City after a slightly difficult start.
Do you think the number 7 shirt is a good fit for Cancelo? Let us know in the comments.
AS Nancy-Lorraine 26-27 Third & Fourth Kits Released
French club AS Nancy-Lorraine and Decathlon have officially launched the club's new third and fourth shirts for the 26-27 season. Following the release of their classic red-and-white home shirt and geometric away strip earlier this summer, the new drop delivers two distinctive looks deeply tied to regional history and meaningful causes.
The AS Nancy 26-27 third kit is predominantly dark navy with elegant soft pink accents, finished with a classic polo collar for a vintage-chic aesthetic. Across the front, an intricate tonal graphic takes inspiration from the Gothic vaults of Nancy's famous Palais Ducal, layered over the club's historical vertical stripes. In place of the standard modern crest, Decathlon has applied an oversized 1970s thistle emblem on the chest, while a centenary tribute to the Stade Marcel Picot sits on the back of the neck.
Alongside the navy shirt, the club also presented the AS Nancy 26-27 fourth kit. Dedicated to the upcoming Octobre Rose campaign in support of breast cancer awareness, it reverses the color palette with an all-pink look complemented by navy details and the retro thistle badge. While the third kit is already available for purchase, the fourth kit will be released as a strictly limited edition.
Next-Gen Adidas Predator 2027 Second Main Boots Leaked - 7 New Images
Footy Headlines can now leak 7 new pictures of the next-gen Adidas Predator 2027 'second main' boots. Although it is a fake, the design is identical to the real one.
The new Adidas Predator 27 'Second Main Pack' boots feature a light blue base with white details, including a subtle speckled texture, white Three Stripes, matching blue laces, and a translucent icy blue soleplate with white elements.
Adidas F50 Hyperfast '2027 First Main Pack' Boots Leaked - 6 New Images
Footy Headlines can now leak 6 new pictures of the new Adidas F50 Hyperfast 2027 'first main' boots. Although it is a fake, the design is identical to the real one.
The '2027 First Main Pack' boots boast a spectacular, warm-toned color gradient inspired by a summer evening sky, transitioning from solar yellow to vivid orange, magenta pink, and deep purple, contrasted by solid black Adidas three stripes.
Macron Showcases Rimini Calcio Hooped Shirt in 'Unveilievable' Campaign
Italian sportswear brand Macron has spotlighted an eye-catching Rimini Calcio 1912 shirt as part of its ongoing 26-27 "Unveilievable" campaign. Celebrating the club's identity under the label's "Fashion in Sport" banner, the design offers a sharp, vintage-inspired hooped aesthetic that complements the team's traditional red and white quartered look.
The shirt is defined by bold red and white horizontal hoops, each red band carrying subtle fine lines running horizontally across the fabric. A ribbed V-neck collar and matching cuffs feature coordinated red and white striped trims, while a raised, metallic-effect heritage crest sits prominently on the chest. The historic emblem incorporates the Arch of Augustus, the city's red cross shield, and an old-school leather football. Sleeve graphics round out the local touch, featuring the pirate motif of Rimini landmark Bounty on the right sleeve alongside La Mi Ma branding on the left.
Rolled out as part of Macron's broader 26-27 portfolio campaign, the release demonstrates the Italian brand's emphasis on bespoke design across every tier of its club roster. While Rimini continue their campaign on the pitch in their signature checkered shirts, this hooped edition offers a stylish tribute to more than a century of club heritage.
