Ahead of the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain, supporters have been left baffled by the appearance of some of the Three Lions players' socks
England's finest, including stars like Bukayo Saka, Conor Gallagher and Jude Bellingham, have been turning heads not just for their skills on the pitch during Euros 2024, but also for their peculiar sock situation. Fans have noticed that several players have been sporting socks with holes cut out of the back, sparking a mix of confusion and banter among the supporters.
As Gareth Southgate's squad prepares to face off against Spain in the Euro 2024 final tonight, there's more than just tactical plays attracting attention. The curious case of the holey socks has become a talking point, with fans taking to social media to voice their thoughts, reports the Mirror.
One supporter queried online: "Can someone explain to me why some England players have holes in their socks? " While another was left pondering: "What's the holes in the socks about, noticed a few players with bits cut out of their socks."
Humour wasn't far behind, as one fan quipped: "Can't England afford to buy the players new socks, they have holes in them." Another chimed in with a mock plea: "Please look for another sock supplier for the national team. These socks have holes in them."
But what's the reason behind this sartorial choice?
Seasoned football aficionados will be aware that players typically don long socks that cover their calves, serving the dual purpose of keeping muscles warm and shin guards secure. However, these socks can sometimes be too constrictive, potentially hindering blood flow and circulation, which is where the customisation comes into play.
Turns out, this isn't a fashion faux pas but actually a clever solution to some potential problems. During football stars often opt to cut holes in their socks to alleviate pressure and thus prevent injuries.
This method even has a proven track record among the players themselves. In 2021, one of the senior members of the squad, Kyle Walker, revealed: "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, founder of Core Clinics, endorsed the scientific reasoning behind the sock cutting. In a conversation with The Mirror, he clarified that footballers wear fresh socks for each match, which can make them feel tight as they haven't been worn before.
He further explained: "As the match goes on, footballers' 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 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."
Footballers are taking a unique approach to their kit by cutting holes in their socks, aiming to alleviate tightness and prevent issues they've encountered in previous matches. Dr Vossen highlighted the potential advantages, explaining: "While there's likely to be genuine physical benefits of cutting customised holes in new socks there is also likely to be a psychological benefit."
"Players have their own pre-match rituals, and if they believe something boosts their game, they're keen to stick with it," Dr Vossen noted on the topic of match preparation.
Moreover, Dr Vossen pointed out: "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)."
Dr Vossen further mentioned: "By customising the sock with strategically placed holes footballers can achieve the ideal level of compression for their thighs throughout the match."
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