Complete central midfielders require a wide range of skills other than fitness, since they need to tackle, dribble, shoot and pass during any match. In essence, a good central midfielder must be combative as well as creative. They occupy the most influential part of the pitch, so central midfielders are perhaps the most likely to influence the outcome of a match. But what are the best football boots for midfielders? I find that these 7 boots best compliment my skills when I operate as the midfield general.
What You’ll Find On This Page:
A midfield player needs a boot that will give them good rotational traction as they twist and pivot in the centre of the park, rather than making straight-line runs. Many boots are designed to aid passing and control with touch pads, or specific areas, Nike’s CTR360 Maestri were an iconic boot designed just around that, with many boots still today offering specific passing elements. These are the things that make me happy with my boots when I operate at the heart of midfield.
Top 7 Boots for Midfield
| Rank | Why? | Boot | |
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1. Nike Phantom GX Elite |
Dictate play from the deep with accurate long range strikes or passes with the sticky Gripknit upper aiding your ball grip |  >> Get Elite Phantom GX2 at Nike |
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2. Puma Future Ultimate |
Has a PWRPRINT texturing so that the ball won’t slick away from your foot, should you decide to take matters in your own hands and drive it straight from midfield |  |
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3. adidas Predator Elite Laceless |
Strikeskin makes the ball stick no matter what,it’s like grabbing the ball with your hand! |  |
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4. Tiempo Legend 10 |
Flytouch Plus may still provide hints of being synthetic, but the material does dampen ball touch like an actual leather |  >> Get Elite Tiempo Legend 10 at Nike |
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5. adidas Predator Elite FT and Laced |
All that grippiness, but with more security because of the laces; up the nostalgia factor by getting the fold-over tongue |  |
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6. Mizuno Morelia |
Exquisite Japanese leather from heel to toe makes sure your comfortable and expertly cushions your first touch |  |
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7. New Balance Tekela v4+ |
A perfect wide-fit option for middle third players; have rim studs on the edges for that lateral movement traction in angling up a pass |  |
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Designed for skilful midfielders and worn by the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Gavi and Kobbie Mainoo; the control-based GX has a sticky Gripknit upper designed to improve every touch on the ball. And that’s just one of the many things I like about the GX 2 that makes it my favourite midfielder’s boot. Earlier I mentioned how a nice boot for the role would have a stud configuration that eases twist and pivot. That’s exactly what I’ve experienced with the Cyclone 360 tooling where the forefoot blades are positioned in a circular formation. It’s a bit aggressive I agree, and so I sense a bit of a cling when twisting and pivoting in artificial surfaces.
The Future 7 has midfield admirers in Granit Xhaka and Kai Havertz. Regarding the Puma silo, I find the the toe box, divided into a soft meshed instep and textured outstep, fun to receive and the pass the ball with. The textile-based upper is quite rich and dense for me, and if not for the relatively less wide fit compared to previous Future generations this could easily be one of my go-to boots when I’m in the middle third.
3. adidas Predator Elite Laceless
I believe that this is one of the most advanced football boots on the market because it contains grippy Strikeskin rubber fins that help in creating more curve in shooting and passing. It also does not have a competition as a laceless boot in this category. Like the Future 7 though, the decision of adidas to lessen the width will not suit me well in the long run given that I’m a wide-footed player. And as modern and clean-looking a laceless boot is, it’s ultimately a hit-or-miss when it comes to fitting in to its shape. There’s also quite a bit of an issue with sole cracking, as many customers have reported the same problem to adidas.
With a dampening synthetic leather assisting first touch, not to mention the Legend being the lightest Tiempo to date, I certainly believe Nike’s popular heritage boot is simply no longer just a defender’s boot. Expect the boot participating more in the middle of the park with the likes of Jamal Musiala and Frenkie De Jong leading the way. So objectively speaking, the Tiempo to my mind is a really solid option. It just won’t convince those midfielders whose used to its natural leather and the material’s natural stretch and mouldability around the foot.
5. adidas Predator Elite FT and Laced
All the benefits of the Number 3, but in a laced setup (with another one bringing back the classic look of the Predators worn by the likes of Beckham). The boot helps the likes of Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold get a more secured lockdown while benefiting from the grip-enhancing technology for their crosses and long-range strikes. I would personally go for the non-FT model as I could open up the boot more and optimise the wrap on my feet better with the u-throat and tongue construction.
Premium K-leather upper all throughout for a perfect first touch. Conical studs deliver ease of rotational foot movements. These are some elements combined together to create a boot that is perfect for that role between the defence and attack. I don’t think there’s a boot that can match the leather quality, fit-forming and comfort of the Mizuno Morelia II. I’m afraid though that I can only grab a few pair and try out the Morelia in few instances because of some issue not just with its uber-expensive pricing but also with availability.
The Tekela was New Balance’s first laceless football boot. Over time, I could say it has gone a long way in becoming a competitive silo, with the current V4+ delivering a premium-feeling Hypoknit upper. I enjoy how the upper flexes with the my foot’s torsion, and that flexibility jives well with the forefoot conicals greatly assisting my pivots on my toes. If I have a word for the Tekela, that would be underrated!
Testing Out Boots For Midfielders
Here some of our ideas that we implement when it comes to boot reviews. As for boots for midfielders, I see to it that they are perfect for play-making and screamers. I check whether this could be done through the upper texturing and technology, or the actual material itself for the ball touch and grip. So during the several play tests, I spent additional minutes doing passing and set-piece drills with the boots above.
How Do Midfielders Play Today?
There is a saying in chess that goes; Whoever controls the centre controls the game. With football having a pitch that is vast and wide, this concept all the more becomes important. Though one can determine who the midfield players are depending on their usual positioning in the playing area, football has evolved significantly over the years to the extent that midfield play has been adapted to both team formations and player abilities. No matter the division of function, the midfield serves as the gateway from defense to attack and vice-versa.
Positionally, there are the wide midfielders and the central midfielders. Most especially in a flat 4-4-2 formation, the two central midfielders usually perform a box-to-box role, using great stamina in tracking back to cover their own box and making penetrating runs to the opponents’ box for goal-scoring attempts. Given the demands from both attack and defence, box-to-box central midfielders have an inclination for physical and direct play. Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira had performed such roles to suit their aggressive type of football. Arturo Vidal and Radja Nainggolan were some of those who can perform the box-to-box role.
The wide midfielders are the ones occupying the left and right sides near the touchlines. Aside from the added protection in the flanks off-the-ball, the wide midfielders/midfield wingers pace through the opponents’ own and deliver crosses. The Manchester United duo of David Beckham/Ryan Giggs and Bayern Munich’s very own ‘Robbery’ (Arjen Robben and Frank Ribéry) had displayed some of the best plays from wide midfielders.
Nowadays, midfielders have specialised into either the defensive half or the attacking half. On the former, they usually act as pivots or deep-lying playmakers. Those who are really good at tackling primarily act as ‘destroyers.’ The attacking midfielders, apart from being the advance playmaker, also has decoy roles like those who drift wide (false 10) or drop deep (false AM).
