Footballer Review: Aaron Ramsey

Footballer Review: Aaron Ramsey

You may have heard of the return of Aaron Ramsey lately. The 22 year old midfielder has been the host of quite a lot of controversy but he is back with Arsenal and in full force. He has displayed beautiful football with the Gunners as well as put in some classic goals.

Aaron Ramsey was shining for Arsenal in 2009. He was a young player with a lot of potential. Sadly, his career was put on halt due to a double leg break. This saw him out of the game for quite some time, but he was back now and proving that he has fully recovered in the 2011-2012 season where he made 44 appearances. His form was still not 100%, making him a questionable player for Arsenal. 

Ramsey's skills with a ball are second to none. He is a key midfielder in that he can pick out the important and critical passes. For such a young boy he is still very mature both on and off the pitch. This quality is just not as prevalent in the beautiful game anymore. 

This year Ramsey is in full force and showing off his talent to the world. He has scored 5 goals and  assisted 4 in his 9 Premier League appearances. He has also scored once in the Champions League and twice for his country of Wales. He was awarded the Premier League Player of the Month for the month of September 2013. 

Footballer Review: Franck Ribéry

Footballer Review: Franck Ribéry

Arguably one of the best players in football, Franck Ribéry has been shining very bright lately. His beautiful combination of intelligence, speed, skill, power, and passion has proved to be his strong suits in the beautiful game. Very few people can move the ball with just as much speed and with as much control as Ribéry. In my eyes, he is the greatest player in the world right now.

His playing style is too beautiful to describe with words. Once he gets the ball on his wing he just goes. Nothing can get in his way, he just flies down the line. Only until he gets to defenders, he slows down a bit. This is, however, quickly followed up with some beautiful skills and ball control, then him leaving the defender on the floor and attacking the goal. This is finished with his deadly shot. The shot that few keepers have the guts to stop. 

The 30-year-old has set a way 12 goals and 8 assists in all competitions so far this season and is displaying no signs of stopping. In his entire career with Bayern he has 56 goals to his name in 165 appearances. He is a deadly attacker and he is a force to be reckoned with.

Now for the part everyone has been waiting for, the Ballon d'Or. Many questions have been raised regarding the Ballon d'Or and if it is truly fair. Many people feel Franck Ribéry is the one who deserves the award for this year but this may not be the case. We will truly have to wait and see what FIFA decides. All I can say is that I hope he wins it. He truly deserves it and he has been performing at a level none can reach. 

Top 8 Football Boots 2013

Top 8 Football Boots 2013

It's the most important thing you put on to play the game. They are with you all the time when you play and they provide the barrier between you and the ball. It is very important when buying your football boots, that you purchase the right ones for you. Here is my list of the best football boots from this year. We have found the best quality and best performing boots of this year so far and we have put them on our list!

8. Mizuno Wave Ignitus 3

Mizuno doesn't get as much recognition as they deserve, but their football boots are top quality. They also have made some interesting innovations in the football world. The Ignitus is a lightweight, yet comfortable synthetic boot. The striking striking some still exists and has been redesigned to be even sleeker.

7. Adidas Predattor LZ2

The lethal zones have returned, and with a bang. Adidas' lethal zone 1 predators received very mixed reviews from people. Many loved it and many hated it. Adidas decided to completely change the lethal zones and to hopefully make them more suited to their customers, something they did well. The lethal zones have received a complete makeover and they look better than ever. 

6. Adidas F50

When you think of Adidas boots, one of the first things you think of are their ultra lightweight silo of football boots, the f50 series. One of the most popular boots in the world, the f50. The shoe has gone through a major redesign whilst still maintaining it's technical features from last year. Something new is the synthetic texturing on the synthetic version of the upper. 

5. White Adidas Cops Mundial 

When you think of the history of the football boot and it's evolution, you cannot leave out the Copa Mundial. This historic boot has barely changed a bit since it's creation those years ago and it still lives on. At long last, adidas has released a white version of this historic boot. Definitely a good looking boot as well as a very high quality one. 

4. Nike Mercurial IX

Nike has taken the market by storm again with another mercurial release. One of the most ground breaking silos of football boots has come out with a new release and nike was not afraid for do something different. 

If you know the mercurial XI, you probably know it for its nee upper. Nike calls it speed control but we almost all know it as golf ball dimples. This new upper is probably why most people purchased this boot and why they hold it to such a high standard. 

3. Under Armour Blur Carbon 3

In the football boot industry, companies like under armour are unfortunately overlooked due to the big 2 companies, nike and Adidas. The blur carbon 3 easily deserves it's number 3 spot. Sometimes it is though to put you finger on it, but you just know a good boot when you see it. 

2. Nike Hypervenom Phantom

This year, Nike decided to scrap their Total 90 silo of football boys and to replace it with a new one. This new silo is called the Hypervenom, and it'd flagship boot is the Hypervenom phantom. Easily one of nikes strangest releases to the sport, the Hypervenom is loaded with new technology which has made one of, if not the, best selling football boots this year. Nike markets their Hypervenom to a new breed of attack. This boot is created with the quick attacker in mind and rightfully so.

This boot is loaded with Nike technologies. One of the most notable technologies is called nikeskin. Nike has used this upper variation in the past but it has been revamped for the Hypervenom. This interesting upper means little to no break in time is required for this boot. 

1. Adidas Nitrocharge 1.0

The Adidas Nitrocharge 1.0 strongly deserves the number one spot on our top 10. This new release by Adidas could be called a risky step, but very much worth it. The boot has proved to be worth it's weight in gold.

Adidas has implemented many new technologies into this football boot. These include the energypulse, energy sling, multi textured upper, as well as protective pads on the back of the heel. 

adidas Nitrocharge 1.0 Review: Should You Buy Them?

Nitrocharge 1.0 Review

After about 4 months of having these boots, I can confirm they are one of the best I have ever worn.

I have been wearing the F50 line since the F50.8 and they are all I have really worn. Each shoe got lighter and lighter until I got to the F50 Adizero SL, where I thought,"Does it really have to be this light." I was getting stepped on a lot which you don't really notice as a footballer unless you have thin boots. I had no protection with those boots but I still loved them. 

When I saw these Nitrocharges come out I wasn't very sure of them. At first, I thought they were just old predators that someone put green tape on. Then I looked more into them and they looked like a good boot. I finally got them but I wasn't so sure.

Coming from F50's this isn't much of a step. They are both relatively lightweight and have the same stud configuration. The Nitros benefit from added padding and comfort. As soon as I laced these up I feel in love. They require absolutely no break in time and they are so soft and comfortable. 

The technology is something else in this boot. The Energysling really tightens your foot and results in no slippage during takeoff and during direction change. The Energypulse gives extra ridgidity in the toe part of the shoe but doesn't make a noticeable difference in my opinion. I also love the achilles tendon pads that just give you the benefit of knowing you have padding.

Should You Buy Them?

I understand that not everyone can purchase $200 football boots and that many people view it as a waste of money. Taking this into consideration I am still forced to tell you that if you can purchase these boots, then by all means do it. They are comfortable, lightweight, strong, sturdy, and very durable. The pictures below are after about 3 months of tough wearing and I still have not cleaned them, some could think they are brand new. These boots look like ones I will be keeping for a couple of years, or until they break which looks very unlikely. 

After 3 Months of Abuse