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Balon Drip: 15 of the finest football kits from 2020

The football season has been unprecedentedly strange and normal life has been turned upside down by a pandemic, but the football kits are still as fresh as ever. 

With 2020 coming to an end, we have researched and scrutinised an ungodly number of jerseys to bring you the definitive list of this year’s very best.

Manchester City, away – Puma

Using black and dark denim as the primary colours and taking inspiration from local architecture, Manchester City‘s patterned away top is the most eye-catching jersey in the Premier League this season.

“The new away jersey features a striking all-over pattern inspired by Castlefield and the Bridgewater canal, an area symbolic of Manchester’s past, present and future,” revealed Puma.

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Nigeria, home – Nike

Nike were always going to have produce something special to follow up on the amazing Nigeria kit they manufactured for the 2018 World Cup. And they have surpassed, don’t you know.

Ajax, away – Adidas

A stunning production from Adidas, Ajax’s away jersey this season is both stunning and bold without feeling like it’s tried too much. The Dutch side have always worn quality kits, but this retro-inspired effort is the best we’ve seen in years.

Forward Madison, alternate – Hummel

When it comes to football kits, Forward Madison possess some sort of cheat code. Their best ever might be the Drip Kit that they dropped earlier this year. It is an eye-popping psychedelic beauty, produced by iconic Danish brand Hummel, of course.

Here is every jersey the USL League One outfit has worn over the past two seasons, in all of their wondrous glory:

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Pescara Calcio, alternate – Errea

One of the most fun designs of the year, Pescara’s Rainbow kit was created by a six-year-old fan as part of a contest ran by the club to “give a kick to Covid-19”.

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Bristol City, goalkeeper home – Hummel

Based on Denmark’s goalkeeper top from their successful Euro 92 campaign, Bristol City’s goalie jersey is absolutely stunning.

Italy, home – Puma

The Renaissance is having a… Renaissance with Puma’s latest design for Italy’s home shirt. The subtle pattern, minimal dark blue collar and classic azzurro colour make this an instant favourite.

The Italians will once again be the best dressed at a major international tournament when they line out for Euro 2020 next summer.

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Providence City, alternate – INARIA Soccer

Another American soccer club that has been killing it in the kit stakes is Providence City, who produced this fantastically sweet design to coincide with their sponsorship by a local donut shop.

Here are all of Providence’s kits from 2020 for you to admire:

Arsenal, home – Adidas

Adidas have not missed a beat since returning to Arsenal and their latest design continues that trend. Sporting a two-tone chevron design on the front and a simple crew neck collar, this one has flown off the shelves.

The official press release says the top pays tribute to Arsenal’s geometric crest which the club used from 1936–1949, the chevron graphic on the home jersey is “inspired by the ‘A’ within.”

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AFC Wimbledon, home – Puma

In the year that AFC Wimbledon returned to their spiritual home of Plough Lane, the south London club also harked back to the past with their latest home jersey.

The Puma design is a tribute to the one they wore in 1982/83, the season they won promotion to Division Three. A clean, crisp blue and yellow effort, this one looks even better in person.

Red Star FC, home & away – Adidas

Lower league clubs tend not to get such personalised kit designs from the big manufacturers, but we’re so glad Adidas made an exception on this one. Red Star FC, the third oldest French football club, released a brilliant set of jerseys that features a bespoke all-over print referencing a local flea market close to the club’s stadium.

The third tier club’s jerseys are so very French, and a football hipster’s dream at that.

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Coventry City, home – Hummel

An ode to a classic Premier League kit, we just couldn’t leave Coventry City’s latest home jersey out of this list.

Southend United, away – Hummel

Yet more love for lower league kits (and Hummel), this time Southend United’s current home edition. The shiny diamond pattern is based on the club’s 1995–96 outfits and is one of our favourites from this year.

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Chicago Red Stars, away – Nike

No strangers to great kits, the Chicago Red Stars and Nike came up with arguably their best to date with ‘The Neighborhood Kit’.

This is a great example of matching a concept with excellent design, the 77 neighbourhoods of Chicago embedded within the powder blue horizontal stripes to recreate the state flag. The same effect on the back depicts the Chicago skyline.

We will be keeping a close eye on the NWSL outfit to see what they come up with in 2021.

Roma, home & away – Nike

In what it turns out are Nike’s final set of Roma kits after eight years together, the Serie A club are currently sporting two of the best jerseys in European football.

The home jersey is an excellent take on a classic design, while the away version, with its maroon collar and details and black lupetto badge, is magnificent.

It simply wouldn’t be a best kits list without AS Roma.

Read: Five of the best football books of 2020, from Roy Keane to Neville Southall

Best of 2020: Seven incredible non-football moments from the Premier League this year

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