Why some England players cut holes in their socks - clever reason behind it

Gareth Southgate and his English side are on the final frontier, squaring off against Spain in pursuit of the Euros 2024 Championship.

And while most eyes will be focussed on how the Three Lions perform, there is an unusual sight diverting attention amongst supporters - holes in several England players' socks, and no, it's not a new fashion trend. Players identified throughout the tournament as doing so are mainly young talents like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Conor Gallagher.

There's a practical explanation behind soccer players snipping holes into their socks - it's all about injury prevention. Devotees of the beautiful game are well aware that socks serve to keep leg muscles toasty and shin guards firmly in place.

Despite their usefulness, these socks can be quite snug and constrictive, potentially hindering proper blood flow and circulation. Players and various experts suggest that making incisions in the socks can alleviate pressure, thus aiding in the avoidance of injuries.

Kyle Walker shed some light on this practice back in 2021, saying: "The socks were actually too tight so it was causing pressure on my calves. It was just to release my calves - or release the tension. I just cut holes in them and all of a sudden I had a few alright games, and I was like, 'Ok, I'm keeping this now!"

Dr Stefaan Vossen, the founder of Core Clinics, has delved deeper into the science behind this custom. In a chat with The Mirror , he pointed out that since players don fresh socks each match, they can feel exceptionally snug if they haven't been stretched out.

He elaborated: "As the match goes on, soccer players' calves will swell as they fill with blood due to exertion. This can cause the socks to feel tight. The last thing players want to do is restrict the blood supply in their legs, so over-tight socks could be a real issue. On the other hand, a level of compression can improve performance by reducing muscle fatigue."

Players might then cut holes in areas that feel too snug or where they've encountered issues in past matches. Dr. Vossen also pointed out the mental advantages, saying, "Soccer players have extensive pre-match preparation rituals and whenever they find something that they feel improves their performance they'll want to repeat this,".

Moreover, Dr Vossen mentioned: "The compression effect of socks can reduce fatigue during extended exercise and reduce post-exercise swelling. However, a badly fitted or over-tight sock can reduce oxygen supply to the muscle, cause irritation during play, and increase the risk of thrombosis (the formation of a blood clot - a medical emergency)."

"By customizing the sock with strategically placed holes soccer players can achieve the ideal level of compression for their thighs throughout the match."