Which team uniforms are winners and which should be donated to the closest thrift store?
MANCHESTER CITY supporters, donning the new “Oasis-inspired” fourth shirt, are fuming about their team’s 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday.
Manuel Akanji, a defender for City, acknowledged after the game that he had mistakenly passed to the assistant referee because the official’s top resembled the special-edition shirt worn by his team.
Erling Haaland in Wednesday’s disappointing 0-0 Champions League draw with InterCredit: Alamy
The Definitely City strip was part-designed by Noel Gallagher to mark the 30th anniversary of debut album Definitely MaybeCredit: PUMA / BEEMThe Definitely City strip, which was partially created by Noel Gallagher of the band to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the band’s debut album Definitely Maybe, infuriated one fan, calling it “the worst footie kit I’ve ever seen.”
However, the peach and blue shirt is far from the best in the league of outrageous football outfits. Stylish vintage replica football jerseys are popular among Generation Z, who are just as likely to sport a strange top as their team’s primary colours.
The home, away, and third kits, which may cost anywhere from £80 to £110 per, are what true collectors will desire.The strips can fetch hundreds of pounds if they were “match-worn” by a top player in a memorable game.
As a result, teams are competing to release ever more striking apparel. Champions of the Premier League City went one step further and unveiled the Definitely City strip, which will be worn for home Champions League games this season. The strip was inspired by the living room featured on the album cover.
The “authentic” jersey will cost £125 for supporters. It does, however, arrive in a “collector’s box” with a picture of Noel on the front.Which team uniforms are therefore the winners and which should be consigned to the closest thrift store?
Our referee is Clemmie Fieldsend, fashion editor.
BOSS Pep Guardiola strummed the guitar in a photoshoot recreation of Oasis’s Definitely Maybe album for the fourth kit’s launch.
And while the shirt’s colours, seen above on Erling Haaland, are inspired by the famous album cover, they don’t appear to be in tune with fans who prefer the famous sky-blue hues.
Clemmie says: “Some might say this Oasis themed shirt is Wonderwall, but Man alive, it’s reminding me of a dinner lady’s tabard.”
NORWICH CITY
14There is no excuse for this Norwich City multi-coloured goalie kitCredit: Norwich City
THE Canaries can’t do much about the fact their yellow and green colours resemble what might be regurgitated after a heavy night out.
But there is no excuse for this multi-coloured goalie kit, which is even more offensive to the eyes than their much sought-after early Nineties home shirt.
Clemmie says: “The print looks like it’s come straight off a bus seat, and that’s not a fashion goal or a keeper.”
TOTTENHAM
14Tottenham’s army-green kitsCredit: tottenhamhotspur.com
IT’S perhaps understandable that Tottenham fans might want to go out in camouflage after the Premier League side’s poor start to the season.
But surely their army-green third shirt blends in too much with the turf and will make it difficult for team-mates to pick each other out.
Clemmie says: “It may be ‘first the worst’ in the children’s rhyme, but third has outdone it when it comes to Tottenham’s reserve shirt.”
IPSWICH TOWN
14Ipswich Town’s pink and white third kit is sponsored by Ed Sheeran’s world tour
ED SHEERAN has worn his beloved Ipswich Town’s third kit, which is sponsored by his world tour.
While the pop collaboration makes sense, the pink colour with white musical frequencies on it is nothing but a bad equation.
Clemmie says: “Featuring sound waves from fans at Portman Road, plus the local coastline, Framlingham Castle and Wolsey’s Gate – local tourism chiefs must be thrilled.”
CHELSEA
14It looks like Chelsea have stuck a white top in a washing machine with blue dye to create this kit
HAVING splashed out more than £300million on players this summer, it seems the West London club didn’t have much cash left over to hire a kit designer.
Instead they seem to have stuck a white top in a washing machine with blue dye and left it to see what would happen.
Clemmie says: “It’s not very likely that this child-like design is going to ignite any fires in fashion.”
STOKE CITY
14Stoke City’s third kit reminds Clemmie of ‘Lady Gaga’s famous meat dress’Credit: Southampton FC
THE Championship side have just sacked their manager Steven Schumacher – but the designers who did their third kit deserve the push as well.
For a part of the world that is famous for its potteries, you might think they could do better.
Clemmie says: “Stoke City’s third kit reminds me of Lady Gaga’s famous meat dress with its patchy pink design – and not in a good way.”
ARSENAL
Arsenal supporters blasted the decision to have kits with similar colours to those of Man City
THE Gunners have gone for a sky-blue third kit, with very similar colours to those of their biggest league rivals, Man City.
But that decision has been blasted by supporters of the North London side.
Clemmie says: “The light blue and lilac colours have a look of the Premier League title holders’ shirt about them.
“But despite the critics, it is the most versatile and fashionable of the lot.”
SUNDERLAND
Fans claim that Sunderland’s shirt resembles a Wetherspoons plate.
If you stare at The Black Cats’ third kit for too long, their Seventies-inspired pattern may likely hypnotise you.
If you look closely at the blue shirt, you’ll notice a colliery wheel that honours the strong coal mining past of the city and the larger North East.
“Some fans have taken a stand against it saying that it looks like a Wetherspoons plate,” Clemmie remarks.
LEICESTER CITY
The black Adidas shirt from Leicester City with pink and gold accents appears worn.
THIS season’s away uniform that Jamie Vardy is playing for The Foxes has nothing foxy about it.
The faded black Adidas shirt with pink and gold accents resembles Leicester City’s aspirations for survival.
Clemmie states: “There are two types of looks: vintage and’mouldy.'” A small own goal.
BRIGHTON
Nike’s striped yellow and blue away uniform for Brighton “has a retro feel,” according to Clemmie.
Brighton’s away uniform, which is striped yellow and blue, has been compared to those annoying cartoon Minions.
However, the Seagulls have started the season strongly, so perhaps their eye-catching hues are deterring the rivals.
Brighton’s new uniform has a throwback vibe that elevates it to the top of the fashion league table, according to Clemmie.
SOUTHAMPTON
The pink Southampton uniform has been compared to some of the worst ever.Southampton FC is given credit.
Supporters of the recently promoted Saints said that their third uniform was “up there with the worst kits ever” and that you “need sunglasses to see it.”
Contemplating the dubious past of the South Coast side’s questionable shirts, Clemmie remarks, “Even though they claim their strip ‘follows the dazzle concept,’ the Pepto Bismol pink colour makes me a little sick to my stomach and ought to be promptly banished.”
Man City stars recreate Oasis’ legendary album coverCredit: PUMA / BEEM
The Definitely Maybe cover served as the inspiration for the Definitely City uniform. Manager Pep Guardiola was joined by City players Kyle Walker, Jess Park, Ederson, and Mateo Kovacic in press photos that were taken in a living room.
It also includes pictures of Sergio Aguero and Colin Bell, two legendary City players.