Why the new Premier League ball from Nike is ‘dream one’ for the forwards?

New ball launched for Premier League this season

XtraTime Web Desk: Premier League is known for exciting matches, goal-fests and lot more. The new Premier League season might be even more thrilling for the latest match ball introduced by Nike.

August will see the new Nike Merlin ball rolled out across the top flight and it promises to be a striker’s dream.

Traditional footballs were once made up of 32 panels, but the Premier League’s new tool comprises of just four — fewer than on any other ball in the professional game.

Fewer panels mean fewer seams and therefore fewer hard spots. In turn, this should provide more sweets spots on the balls, allowing players to strike shots cleaner.

There were 1,018 goals scored across the Premier League in the 2017-18 season but that figure could rocket up next season if the new ball performs as intended.

But it is not just strikers who are set to benefit from Nike’s advancements in ball technology.

Nike has used their All Conditions Control (ACC) technology on a football for the first time, with debossed grooves and 3D inks designed to improve its feel and aerodynamics in all weather conditions.

The Merlin ball is mostly white but also features black, purple, blue and yellow. This mix of colors will apparently help players spot which way it is spinning and how fast it is moving.

Fans will be able to buy the ball from the start of June.

Nike has supplied the official Premier League ball since 2000 and has produced 15 previous versions for the competition.