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It is time to take a look at the position on the field that Adidas recently placed a label on with the introduction of their latest boot release. That boot is named the Nitrocharge 1.0 and the player they labelled (with help from Opta) is the "Engine" or the box-to-box center midfielder. Ironically, none of the players on the list currently wear the Nitrocharge, but that has the potential to change before the start of the upcoming season.
The center midfielder is a player that carries huge responsibilities on the pitch. This is the player that needs to makes things tick by connecting the backline with forwards. They are the in between player that works tirelessly to cover every blade of grass on the pitch in an effort to control the action. In a sense, this player has to master several different styles of play and mesh them into one. Consistency is usually part of their game, and they definitely need to be able to possess the ball.
With that in mind, we have put together our list of top players and broken down the boots they wear. Check out What the 10 Best Center Mids Wear and Why.
Bryan Byrne is the founder of
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No. 10 – Michael Bradley x Nike CTR360 Maestri III
USA and Roma
That's right - I consider Michael Bradley to be one of the best center midfielders currently in the game. This might come as a surprise to some, but the guy is a true workhorse and he gives everything for the team in a 90 minute game. He is a true box-to-box midfielder who doesn't cheat and has consistently been a top performer for the US mens national team, while also winning his place in a strong Roma line-up.
Although seen to be a playmaker boot, there are a lot of characteristics in the CTR360 Maestri that would suit Bradley's style. Take the control zone on the instep for instance, it aids in first touch and control. This is especially effective as players look to take the ball out of the air and move it quickly along the ground, something Bradley has become all too familiar with while playing for the USMNT. I'm also a big fan of the two layers of stitching Nike has placed across the forefoot. It adds a really natural bend to the Kanga-Lite upper and provides an extra comfortable feel as you flex your feet.
No. 9 – Jack Wilshire x Nike CTR360 Maestri III
England and Arsenal
One of the brightest future talents in the game, Wilshire is a player with bags of potential. Injuries have hampered his career at Arsenal, but with players like Schweinsteiger and Dani Alves stating you have the potential to be as good as Xavi, you know you are doing something right!
Wilshire is another player to sport the CTR360 Maestri. Even though he is listed as a Center mid, there have been several occasions where he has been used as a more attacking presence. For that reason, the boots seem to be a very natural fit to his game. Many compare his style of play to a Spanish midfielder (which is odd for an English man) and he loves to get on the ball, keep possession and he has a keen eye for a killer pass.
No. 8 – Michael Carrick x Puma King 2013
England and Manchester United
Carrick is a player who has continually had to fight off his doubters who criticize his style and presence in the Manchester United line-up. In response, he has wracked up 7 consecutive seasons where he has played 40+ games for the Red Devils. That is an extremely impressive accomplishment and proves he has a unique, world class talent.
He is also a big Puma fan and he is currently wearing the King 2013. The King boasts a very rich history with many players swearing by their performance over the past four decades. Even though this latest release contains a much more modern look and design, there is still an air of consistency about them. This meshes well with Carrick's style of play and offers him a no-nonsense option. The boot is more about offering players comfort and style than breaking into the echelons of technology.
No. 7 – Cesc Fabregas x Puma PowerCat 1.12
Spain and Barcelona
One of the most discussed brand moves of all time involved Cesc Fabregas decision to switch from Nike to Puma. That move really put Puma back on the map and we all sat back to admire the PowerCat 1.10, the boot that Fabregas began wearing.
Now he currently wears the Puma PowerCat 1.12 and Puma has even personalized several versions just for the Spanish midfielder. The boot is designed with Power and creativity in mind. Across the forefoot, Puma incorporate a 3D PST zone, or Power Shooting Technology. In this system, two different TPU densities make up a region that has the ability to cushion and add power behind the ball. They are strategically positioned for either functionality. Fabregas is no stranger to scoring goals, so the added technology proves helpful for his style of play.
No. 6 – Frank Lampard x Adidas adiPure 11Pro
England and Chelsea
I can not believe that Chelsea were actually considering the possibility of letting Frank Lampard's contract run out this summer. The guy is an absolute legend and a true professional. Even with all the nonsense that was going on last season, he put in many top class performances and bagged a boat load of goals. He is rated as one of the best goal scoring midfielders to ever play the game.
There is not a great deal of Flash about Lampards game, and he is more about keeping things simple and getting things done. A fine example of this is his penalty taking technique - he simple hits the ball extremely hard and firm. On his feet, he chooses an equally simple boot - the Adidas adiPure 11Pro. The adiPure range has been a top choice for traditional players over the past several years. They are actually a relative newcomer to the market, but that hasn't stopped Adidas creating a legacy around them. On this version,Adidas has added a new panel on the forefoot for added durability and they leave a simple layer of stitching on the forefoot.
No. 5 – Yaya Toure x Puma King 2013
Ivory Coast and Man City
Many consider this past season a disappointing one for Yaya Toure. The primary reason is Man City didn't win the league and his performances the season before were the reason they had achieved success. This tells you he bears a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders and sets the tone for his team.
Toure is another player that chooses to wear Puma King boots. He is another player that like to keep things simple and just play the game. On several occasions over the past few seasons, he has turned up in the opposing box and scored critical goals. Then there have been times when he has put in some killer, crunching tackles to protect the back line. I'm personally not sure if the King is the boot I would choose for him to wear, with the PowerCat range probably being a more suitable option.
No. 4 – Bastian Schweinsteiger x Adidas F50 adiZero
Germany and Bayern Munich
What a season Schweinsteiger is coming off, both domestically and internationally. The "midfield motor" as he is often referred to, loves to be involved in the action at all times. Not only can he tackle hard and score goals, but he also has an ability to control what happens around him - something that might be related to the strong willed, German mentality.
This is the one player on the list who I am really surprised to see wearing the boots he does. Designed for speedy players who want to make an attacking impact, the Adidas F50 adiZero seems like the one boot I wouldn't expect Schweinsteiger to wear. Everything about them seem to go against his style, yet he has worm them so, so impressively. In the past, he has worn the Predator and the adiPure range, both of which have plenty of attributes to suit his playing type and mentality. I would actually be interested in finding out the reasoning behind his selection and what he feels lakes the adiZero so complimentary to his game.
No. 3 – Steven Gerrard x Adidas Predator LZ
England and Liverpool
I would compare Gerrard as being one of the most complete players on this list. Since starting his long career at Liverpool, he has been an inspirational figure and his never say die attitude has lead the team to some fine successes, even when the squad was ordinary. He is a player full of passion and desire to win.
The Adidas Predator LZ could not have been created for a more perfect player. Gerrard offers a multiple array of talents on the pitch, none of them world class, but he has the ability to do all things very well. With 5 different Lethal Zones on the boots, Gerrard has plenty of options and the right tools to use each zone effectively. Adidas has created several personalized editions for the Liverpool man, and each time he has gone with a classy colorway, showing he is a true no-nonsense player.
No. 2 – Andrea Pirlo x Nike Tiempo IV
Italy and Juventus
The master - AC Milan fans must be livid that the club decided to off-load Pirlo to Juve several seasons ago. At that stage there was an emphasis on bringing youth into the club, yet he has proven a very valuable point to all players playing the game; sometimes you get better with age! Like a fine wine, Pirlo has transformed into a magical player with a unique ability to control a game.
The Nike Tiempo Legend IV is his boot of choice. There is not a great deal of technology in the boots, and everything is set to be pretty uncomplicated. This is perfect for Pirlo's style. The comfort they provide allows him to focus on his game and gives him the confidence to work his magic on the ball. I'm also a fan of the cross panel stitching along the forefront as it provides a little extra cushion as you look to strike long passes and play balls over the top.
No. 1 – Xavi x Adidas Predator LZ
Spain and Barcelona
At some point or another, we have all stood back and admired a Xavi performance. This past season he even recorded a 90 minute game where he completed 100% of his passes. That is just out of this world. Yet he seems to make it all look so simple, and because of this, we probably overlook his pure genius at times. In fact, Messi probably plays a role in that alos, yet we will look back on his career in 10 or 15 years time and compare him as being one of the best central midfielders to ever grace the game.
So, what is the greatest ever wearin? Xavi has decided to work with the Adidas Predator LZ and it is a very compatible relationship. With so many different zones to choose from, Xavi becomes a deadly control freak and the boots almost become his playground. When he is not running box-to-box, he is probably on the ball trying to figure out how he can create the next goalscoring opportunity from the halfway line. The Predator LZ is the perfect choice for his style in my opinion.
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