Fashion is subjective. You may prefer flashy watches, you may hunt down your local second-hand store for vintage deals. You may prefer Nike’s, they may prefer Adidas. And so fashion consensus is unfeasible. But. There is something lasting in style and in influence, it becomes synonymous with a person. Whether you would wear those fits yourself becomes somewhat irrelevant. Pushing boundaries, originality, influence, my personal bias. These are the criteria for Footwork’s Drippiest XI of all time. Or at least until we do it again next year.

I’m glad we could all agree.

 How will we play? Like Johan Cruyff’s 3-4-3 of course. Nothing says drip like Total Football. We’re looking for eye-catching offensive displays, pressing at all times, and of course some creativity.

GK: Gianluigi Buffon

As one should, we start our team out with class. Clean suits, Italian designer, and the claim of first goalkeeper to cut their sleeves (now a norm). Buffon delivers with composure and is still playing, well over his 1,000 appearance. We love sustainability. 

LCB: David Alaba

Glow up. The Austrian has already had an illustrious career but we love to see his increased interest in developing his fashion imprint. “With your style you can show the world who you really are and what is really important to you,” he told Hypebeast. Mixes of creativity, layering, and imagination, David continues to make a name for himself in these spaces. Streetwear with twists, modeling with Margiela, he’s well rounded and a perfect fit in our 11.

“In the future, I see myself in fashion.” Us too.

CB: Sir Bobby Moore

Damn right we’re taking it back. Saville Row Style Magazine dubbed him ‘Captain of the Swinging Sixties’. Meticulous in how he looked, Bobby had it. He even co-owned and designed for Harrison-Moore Ltd, a leather coat factory in east London. Eloquent and in our eleven.

RCB: Hector Bellerin

Perhaps not known for his role as RCB in a 3, he is certainly known for his fashion influence and inclination. Walking the Louis Vuitton runway at Paris Fashion Week has its merits. But it’s also the boundaries he constantly pushes, authentic and unafraid, while combining with brands regularly to influence the soccer, street, and lifestyle culture. He is our style guru. The lead by example type of captain.

CDM: Andrea Pirlo

I feel like you read that name and just understood. Pirlo is excellence, excellence is Pirlo. Everything he does is in a suave manner. You can’t not appreciate it. His drip is a combination of simple yet striking suits, shades, and the hair/beard combo. It’s a no-brainer.

LCM: Tom Davies

If you didn’t know Tom Davies was drippy, now you know. He’s got a traveler/whool coat/70’s stroll through the park vibe and it fits. Certainly Liverpool heritage influenced, we love that his style takes him far away from the football sphere, bringing unpredictability to a tracksuit fashion world. 

RCM: Jackson Irvine

St. Pauli bias? maybe. But in all honestly, I can’t think of anyone who fits the identity of a club, their culture, and the city’s fashion more, all while bringing creativity and individuality. Sustainability, anti fast-fashion, 80’s grunge, high boots, sleeky black threads, leather coats, tote bags and more. Come to Hamburg and you’ll understand how nothing, ever, has made more sense.

CAM: Ruud Gullit

The Dutch, attacking CAM/Second Striker had a lot in his locker. Outrageous footballing ability, reggae hits and an unmatched dreadlock-mustache combination. Coined the phrase sexy-football and we’ll just leave it at that.

RW: David Beckham (C)

I feel like I don’t have to explain myself on this one, but I will. Who transcended footballing style like Becks. One always subject to critique from the British media, David Beckham stayed true to his passions and surpassed what was expected from footballers in fashion. A breaker of expectations and one always looking to change and grow what was in his rotation. We hand the captains arm band to none other than Becks.

LW: Paul Gascoigne

Gazza may not be synonymous with fashion like some of the others on this list. But if we are talking influence, originality, and trend-setting then he definitely earns the spot in our Drippiest XI. The bleach blonde hair had Phil Foden paying homage over 20 years later, the popped collar was otherwise unseen, and his music career took him to number 2 on the UK charts. Gazza is downright influential.

ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin 

I know we have a lot of current players but never has fashion been at the forefront of football like it is today. Dominic turns heads, creates conversation, bends norms, and remains confident in whatever the hell he wants to wear. We appreciate that a lot. Thats why he leads the line, with threads and fits that are truly eccentric, non-conformist, and most importantly, free-spirited.

HERE IT IS, IN ALL IT’S GLORY

OUR DRIPPIEST XI

Manager/s: Roberto Mancini & Siniša Mihajlović

Roberto has that class and authenticity that leads us over the line. Whether it’s his suits for Italy or the scarf for Manchester City, Mancini has the flair and elegance worthy of the head managerial spot. 

In an assistant and number two role we have a bit of a dark horse and one who’s combinations may be confusing, but are so unique and amusing that he’s claimed his role in this squad. I mean a top hat and Off-White Air Jordan 1’s. There’s no argument. We have to say RIP. As Siniša recently passed away after complications with Leukaemia.

Bench/Honorable Mention

Jules Kounde: I’ll say this. Next year he’ll have a starting spot. His drip is pretty new on the scene but he’s turning heads with every home game. 

Serge Gnabry: Perhaps unlucky not to crack the starting 11. He brings a punch and finesse to a rather conservative Munich.

Djibril Cissé: Another tough one to start on the bench. Fashion walks, campaigns with supermarket LIDL and overall aura are all there. He’ll get some minutes no doubt. 

Frank Worthington: Known for charisma and clothes. A true pioneer.

George Best: Another one who was tough to leave on the bench. A king in both spheres and even had his own boutique focused on the ‘extrovert male.’

Edgar Davids: The goggles speak for themselves.

Roberto Baggio: One of the first off the bench, Baggio could work seamlessly through different styles and looks.

Gregory van der Wiel: Fashion-forward Dutchmen has many facets to his closet. Along with helping popular brand BALR off the ground, he was big into the vintage jersey fits that are seen everywhere now.  

Memphis Depay: Many are going to say he deserved better and perhaps thats true. He oozes high-end drip, with designer wear at every turn.

David James: Cream suits. That is all.

Stole Dimitrievski: The North Macedonian & Rayo Vallecano keeper has to feel hard done not getting into the 11. I struggled with this one, but just couldn’t replace Buffon. He’ll play in the cup games. 

Who did we miss? let us know in the comments!