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Football journalists, you’d think, would be quite handy on the pitch given their proximity to, and regular face-time with, the best in the world.
Unfortunately, interviewing and rubbing shoulders with the world’s stars means very little in terms of actual footballing ability. Take it from me. I am one of them.
Becoming a professional footballer was my life’s ambition until it became apparent that dream was behind a closed door, padlocked shut.
Bukayo Saka helped develop New Balance's brand new Stone Island boots
The closest thing to it, I thought, would be to become a football journalist. I’m fortunate to have played at Spotify Camp Nou, Leeds United’s iconic Elland Road and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium. I haven’t come close to scoring once, but that’s by-the-by.
I’m not saying if I’d worn the New Balance Furon Elite FG V9 x Stone Island boots that I’d have come much closer. But, the fantasist in me started believing that might be the case when I visited the TRACK, a state-of-the-art multi-sport venue owned and operated by New Balance, in their home city of Boston.
New Balance provided for me the boots that Bukayo Saka wore in England’s World Cup 2026 opener against Croatia. As test drives go, it was an experience.
The Furon Elite V9 x Stone Island collab is, first and foremost, an aesthetically pleasing boot. And because New Balance are involved, nothing has been left to chance when it comes to performance, either.
Stone Island isn't a fashion brand that does bright, brash colourways, so it’s understandable that the Furon collab keeps it simple but unique. I would be lying through my teeth if I were to describe myself as a flair player, so the monochromatic colour scheme was appreciated.
The boot is marketed as being designed for ‘the most dangerous players’, of which Saka is undoubtedly one. No pressure, then.
We’ve all done it, you slip on a pair of boots for the first time, have a kick-around and end up with irritation or blisters in the foot and ankle region. I’ll be honest, when I discovered how snug the Furon Elite V9s were, this was at the front of my mind. Once bitten, etcetera.
As it turned out, I had nothing to worry about. There was no wear and tear on my heels once I slipped them off - not that I wanted to - following a skills and drills session on one of the indoor pitches at the TRACK.
The boots hugged my feet, allowing a close control feel whilst providing the necessary protection when striking footballs over and over. Because, of course, skills and drills descended into shooting practice, penalties and crossbar challenge.
What else I was struck by was how lightweight the boots are, perfect for speedsters down the flanks, of which I am not one.
Was this incredibly privileged test drive wasted on a player like me who gets a nosebleed every time he crosses the halfway line? Perhaps. But I don’t care. The boots were snug, sleek and comfortable - everything I’m not on the pitch.
For a man whose ankle ligaments have seen their fair share of strains and sprains, the ‘new boot-artificial turf’ combo was cause for concern, but after a while that fear evaporated. The Furon Elite V9 provided excellent traction for quick changes of direction during the drills session.
Whilst I cannot boast explosive movement myself, the fact Arsenal and England star Saka has been an active participant in the production of this boot, suggests the pair I wore were very much catered towards a player who is cutting inside at the drop of a hat, several times per game.
One thing I can guarantee is that the wearer does not feel inhibited by the weightiness of the boot - it is the most svelte I’ve felt on a football pitch in years.
As averse as I am to corporate-speak, I think it’s worthwhile circling back to the design, because there’s a fantastic feature that hasn’t been mentioned yet. Not only do they look the part, there’s science baked into the artwork, because it is heat reactive and changes with temperature.
I was not the only wearer of the Stone Island Furon V9 on my debut at the TRACK, and therefore each pair looked ever so slightly unique at the end of the session. Whilst that might not matter to everyone, if you’re a football boot nerd, I imagine that is something to get very excited about.
FourFourTwo’s verdict is this boot, or cleat if you’re one of our North American cousins, could be one of the best and most unique on the market. If you want to draw admiring glances from teammates and opponents as you glide past, the New Balance Furon Elite V9 Stone Island edition just might be for you.
