Erling Haaland has reached new heights this season as he leads Manchester City’s push to recover from a difficult 2024–25 campaign. The striker’s goals have drawn attention not only for their volume but for the unusual technology behind part of his preparation and recovery.

Haaland is one of Nike’s signature athletes and has been benefitting from the sportswear brand’s brand new neuroscience-based footwear designed to help athletes feel “calm, focused and present” both before and after competition. The fresh Mind 001 and Mind 002 sneakers incorporate sensory receptors underfoot that are intended to access key areas of the brain, assist recovery and activate awareness.

Nike places 22 foam nodes on the bottom of the shoe to impart the feeling and even texture of the ground, allowing athletes to feel more connected to their surroundings. The Mind 001 is flexible and water-resistant, while it also offers “easy-on, easy-off convenience.” The Mind 002 “anchors the foot to the footbed for increased sensation and support.”

The two models are the result of more than a decade of work inside Nike’s Sports Research Lab, with Haaland credited for debuting the technology. The neuroscience-based footwear is the opening project on the Nike Mind platform curated by Nike’s Mind Science Department. It was unveiled as one of four major projects revealed by the sportswear giants on Thursday, Oct. 24 alongside Aero-fit, Project Amplify and Therma fit.

“Nike Mind is a new sensory-footwear concept that helps reawaken the foot, the body and the mind,” revealed Eric Avar, Creative Director at Nike. “It represents a new paradigm of performance and how we can potentially make athletes better in the future.”

“Focus is everything in football,” said Haaland, who has been regularly testing Nike Mind footwear over the past five years. “Every step I take, I think of the shoe and what I feel in my feet—which is a good thing. It helps me to bring balance to my game.”

The Premier League places constant demand on defenders, and only a handful sustain the form and influence that mark the league’s elite. This piece presents a concise assessment of the current top 15 defenders based solely on the traits and milestones noted in the original draft.

Pedro Porro remains one of the most attack-minded full backs, excelling down Tottenham Hotspur’s right flank with an excellent eye for a pass and growing leadership responsibilities under Thomas Frank. Micky van de Ven returned to full fitness after missing a large chunk of last season to injury; his recovery pace, composure on the ball and strength in the tackle make him a standout central option.

Reece James has endured lengthy injury battles but, when fit, offers a sensational two-way athleticism capable of locking up attackers and delivering dangerous crosses; he is comfortable in central defence and in more advanced midfield roles. Murillo, following his 2023 move to Nottingham Forest, combined relentless defending with a willingness to drive from the back and play line-breaking passes, prompting expensive links to Europe’s elite.

Tino Livramento demonstrated his potential after bouncing back from a devastating injury, contributing both in attack and defensively for Newcastle United. Daniel Muñoz, signed by Crystal Palace in January 2024, is praised for elite athleticism and devastating bursts down the right wing.

Cristian Romero blends composed defending with aggressive intensity, backed by experience that includes World Cup and Copa América wins plus the 2024–25 Europa League. Ibrahima Konaté developed through French and German football and now anchors Liverpool with added intelligent positioning and movement to complement his physical attributes.

Marc Cucurella’s route from Barcelona’s academy through Getafe and Brighton & Hove Albion has led to a revival at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca, often deployed in an inverted role. Jurrien Timber overcame a devastating ACL injury suffered 50 minutes into his Premier League debut and has returned to provide versatile defensive cover for Arsenal, reflecting his Ajax education.

Marc Guéhi pairs aerial presence and defensive basics with uncommon composure on the ball and remains Crystal Palace’s captain as his contract situation draws attention. Rúben Dias, a standout in 2020–21, remains a Manchester City mainstay with four Premier League title spines to his name. Gabriel’s understated aggression and set-piece threat have made him indispensable at Arsenal, while Virgil van Dijk’s wider reputation endures despite a less favourable 2025–26 campaign.

Pep Guardiola confirmed Rodri will miss Manchester City’s next two fixtures but suggested the midfielder’s absence should not be prolonged. The defensive midfielder pulled up clutching his hamstring in the first half of City’s trip to Brentford at the start of October and had hoped to return after the international break, yet he did not make the bench against Everton.

Guardiola gave a clearer timetable while warning of the risks associated with muscular injuries. “I don’t think so for Villarreal—or Aston Villa,” the Catalan coach mused. “It’s not long, but it’s muscular and you have to be careful.

“We’ve tried so many times, we’ve tried to not take a risk, but we have not been able to [manage] that. So we will see.”

In Rodri’s absence Nico González has often been used to occupy the deeper midfield role. The draft also notes Mateo Kovačić as a more natural fit: the Croatia international brings greater experience inside Guardiola’s system and, according to the reporting, possesses “a special quality” on the ball that suits the role.

Kovačić’s availability has been limited after a long injury layoff. For the first time since undergoing Achilles tendon surgery over the summer, the 31-year-old returned to the pitch against Everton, with Guardiola introducing him for four minutes as part of a cautious reintroduction to match action.

On Kovačić the manager was clear about the player’s importance: “Kovačić has a special quality with the ball to keep it,” City’s manager gushed. “We cannot forget he’s come from surgery, a three or four-month injury. We need his quality back. ]

City will manage both men carefully as they plan for upcoming fixtures while monitoring recovery from a hamstring problem and post-surgery fitness respectively.