If it works, it works.
When you can strike a ball as cleanly as Kyle Walker can, it’s hard for doubters to question the effectiveness of his holey socks. Walker scored the winner for Manchester City on Saturday evening with a scorching strike from outside the area, earning his side a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.
What caught the eye as cameras zoomed in his perfect connection with the ball was the fact that Walker’s socks were riddled with holes.
After the game, BT Sport pundit Jermaine Jenas explained the modern trend of certain players alleviating tension in their calves by cutting holes in their socks.
“It’s about functionality,” Jenas said.
“He obviously thinks his socks are too tight so he cuts holes in them to help the circulation in his calves so he doesn’t get cramp.
Holes in @kylewalker2's socks explained.
Cause of that rocket goal! 🚀 #cityvnufc pic.twitter.com/LEgdciy3yQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 1, 2018
“Richard Dunne has said it’s been happening for years. It’s not brand new. Well if he’s hitting them like that, he can cut holes in his socks anyway.”
Walker is by no means the first player to do so as fellow England international Danny Rose piqued supporters’ curiosity during the World Cup with his pre-match alterations.
Nobody is going to have an issue with Walker doing whatever he wants to his socks as long as he continues to put in man-of-the-match performances like the one he provided against the Magpies this weekend.
“When they played five at the back and four in midfield, it was always going to be difficult to break them down because the space was very minimal,” Walker told BT Sport after the game.
“It was good to get on the scoresheet. I didn’t score last season so it was a happy moment for me.
“Today we adapted the system a little bit differently which I think helped me a lot to get forward a bit more.
“It was enjoyable out there and it was just important to bounce back and get the three points after a disappointing fixture against Wolves.”
