The blades have been the subject of controversy as several top managers have blamed them for injuries both to opposition players and to the wearers themselves. Since the 1980s significant advancements have been made in the design of gloves, which now feature protectors to prevent the fingers bending backwards, segmentation to allow greater flexibility, and palms made of materials designed to protect the hand and to enhance a player’s grip. Modern boots such as the Adidas Predator, originally designed by former Liverpool player Craig Johnston, feature increasingly intricate, manchester city jersey 2024/25 scientifically aided designs and features such as air pockets in the soles and rubber “blades” on the sole rather than studs.