The five best 2019/20 kits dropped around Europe so far – and five worst
With the 2018/19 campaign long gone, attention will soon be turning to what kits we’ll be seeing throughout next season.
Many fans will sit with bated breath, waiting for the announcement of their club’s new strip, while others are less bothered and will just pick it up when they can.
https://audioboom.com/posts/7304751-lampard-s-chelsea-midfield-set-up-will-be-inspired-by-his-ancelotti-days
At Squawka, we’ve taken up the task of ranking five of the best 2019/20 home strips released around Europe so far, as well as five wardrobe disasters.
The best
5. Bournemouth
A bit of a shock entry? Maybe. But Umbro deserve great credit for supplying Bournemouth with another visual dream to play in next season.
New kit ready to go ✅
The Superstore is open before kick-off and two hours after the full-time whistle this afternoon to pick yours up 👕#BOUTOT pic.twitter.com/J1daVYosxE
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 4, 2019
As ever with Umbro, there is the risk that they release 10 other kits that all look identical but we’ll wait and see. For now, we can sit back and marvel at this classy, modern twist on the classic Cherries look.
4. Leicester City
Close enough to the previous kit as not to spoil a good thing but different enough to warrant fans going out and buying it, Adidas have done a cracking job on Leicester’s 2019/20 home kit.
According to Leicester City’s official website, the new shirt is designed to ‘celebrate unique diversity’ and ‘underline unity’ among the club’s fanbase.
Saturday will be the first opportunity for fans to shop for the new adidas 2019/20 home kit in-store 👕 https://t.co/kWnDH2b6mi
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 9, 2019
Whatever the message, all Foxes supporters will be proud to sport this sharp number next season.
3. Ajax
Every football hipsters’ favourite pastime this season, Ajax captured the hearts of the footballing world with their run to the Champions League semi-finals. Hell, even Spurs felt a little bit sorry for them after completing their remarkable comeback in Amsterdam.
The Dutch giants may still be reeling from that loss but, on the bright side, they’re still knee-deep in the Eredivisie title race and can look forward to next season knowing they will look right dapper on the pitch.
https://twitter.com/ajaxtimes/status/1126397828727750657?s=19
Adidas have added a more standout club crest to next season’s effort, while a smart black trim features on the sleeves and across the back of the collar. We have a sneaking suspicion this one may sell fast.
2. Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund are really good at kits. They’re also really good at football but they’re really, really good at kits.
Every year, you’ll see the replica home shirts of these Bundesliga giants flying off the shelves here in the UK and if our first impression of the 2019/20 edition is anything to go by, this will be no different.
Home is where the heart is 💛
Introducing our 2019/20 @pumafootball home kit!
🛒👉 https://t.co/tuARHCdcC4 pic.twitter.com/WTw54biPUl
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 9, 2019
Inside the collar, the text reads “110 Jahre. Gestern. Heute. Morgen.” (110 Years. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.), with Dortmund celebrating their 110-year anniversary in December 2019, while the pattern across the shoulder gives this kit just enough edge without stepping away from the traditional club image.
Also, note Jadon Sancho in the promotional video. A signal of intent from Dortmund regarding his future, maybe?
1. AS Roma
There are only two things that are absolutely 100% certain in life: you die at the end of it and Roma will always produce gorgeous kits.
Of course, 2019/20 is no different. Their usual blend of crimson and yellow works perfectly as always, while the addition of a lightning bolt design across the sleeves and collar is a great touch.
https://twitter.com/MU_muhi/status/1126424078099910656?s=19
Those hipsters – as well as a few of us in the office – had better keep some pennies back for this one.
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The worst
5. Celtic
Celtic have reached a level of domestic dominance in Scotland where they don’t really need to think about how to play football anymore. They just go out onto the pitch and things happen.
Apparently, that was the thought process of New Balance when designing the Bhoys’ strip for 2019/20, too.
“Chuck a collar on it. Oh and the hoops, break them!” We imagine the design process went something like that, and the breaking of hoops has not gone done well with the Celtic fanbase.
The collar I can handle, but breaking the hoops is unacceptable
— Christopher McQuade (@chrismcquade67) May 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/ValladolidBhoy/status/1123990314363039747?s=19
https://twitter.com/borninrottenrow/status/1123993912589344774?s=19
4. Liverpool
There’s always been mixed reaction surrounding New Balance’s Liverpool kits and this one is no different.
Fair enough, the kit is a tribute to their legendary manager Bob Paisley but it’s all a bit, mehh. Drab. Boring.
As has been the case with many New Balance Liverpool kits, though, we’re sure the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino will boss their way through 2019/20, adding a shine to the strip that isn’t actually there.
3. Chelsea
Seriously, Chelsea. What the hell is that?
It’s out there, it’s whacky and it’s experimental but that doesn’t mean that Chelsea’s 2019/20 effort is good. Did Nike want to showcase their ability to make covers for coach seats? Did a designer just get bored and start doodling?
Introducing our 2019/20 @nikefootball home kit! 👕
Get yours 👉 https://t.co/TJfP0JhBuG#ITSACHELSEATHING pic.twitter.com/mq5cKQ7VT4
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 2, 2019
We’re not sure. Either way, make it to the end of this article and then feel free to give your eyes a wash.
2. Juventus
Admit it, you thought this was some kind of disgusting half-and-half kit, didn’t you?
Well, it isn’t a half-and-half number, but it is disgusting.
https://twitter.com/Footy_Headlines/status/1123970714913202181?s=19
We’re not quite sure what kind of hell Adidas are trying to put Juve fans through but one thing’s for sure; they’d better have a nice, striped kit lined up for 2020/21 or they could spark a riot.
1. Barcelona
Well, at least Ivan Rakitic will be happy?
Barcelona have gone all-out with their 2019/20 strip and it’s fair to say Nike have created a bit of an abomination. A checkered approach instead of stripes is always going to be controversial but to force a Catalan flag onto a terrible collar design just compounds the misery here.
https://twitter.com/barcacentre/status/1108637374974779392?s=19.
They’re lucky Croatia don’t own the copyright for checkers, too. They’re still one of the only sporting outfits to pull off that look.