Why this week's sporting heroes Lewis Hamilton and Jack Grealish have much in common

Almost taking on the mantle of A Level question, two huge sporting talking points of the week.
Brighton and Hove Albion will be up against an inform Jack Grealish at Villa Park this SaturdayBrighton and Hove Albion will be up against an inform Jack Grealish at Villa Park this Saturday
Brighton and Hove Albion will be up against an inform Jack Grealish at Villa Park this Saturday

First and foremost congratulations to Lewis Hamilton for not only his seventh World Championship title but also becoming the most successful driver in the history of the sport.

Is that now a Knighthood on the horizon?

I would imagine so, despite there being a huge dose of marmite regarding Hamilton, his sporting achievements cannot be questioned, but I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I wished he wasn’t at times so political.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the question that will prompt the classic ongoing pub debate (when they eventually open) Is Lewis Hamilton the greatest living British Sportsman?

It’s an emphatic no from me, with my choice being that of Sir Steven Redgrave.

A huge part of Hamilton’s success has come from the cars he’s driven, the respective racing teams that employed him have spent millions on the said cars, so whilst he’s clearly extremely talented, he’s had very expensive tools at his disposal.

However Redgrave, in his five consecutive Olympic Games, in which he won five Golds and one Bronze, just had oars, grit and determination.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

You can throw countless footballers, cricketers, rugby players, boxers into the mix but no one gets near Redgrave when it comes to sporting achievement.

So on to the second hot topic of the week, is Jack Grealish both the saviour of English football and the new Paul Gascoigne?

With the Albion facing Grealish’s Aston Villa this Saturday I’m almost setting myself up for a fall, but I have to answer both questions with a resounding NO.

Don’t get me wrong, like Hamilton, Grealish is extremely gifted, but two decent performances for England against a below average Irish side and granted a good Belgium side, don’t instantly make him the answer to our obvious shortcomings at national level and certainly don’t make him the new Gazza.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We never saw the finished article with Gazza due to two factors, one he didn’t sign for Fergie at United in 1988 and secondly I believe with the exception of occasional flashes he was never the same player after the injury sustained at the 1991 Cup Final.

Grealish is work in progress still, let’s hope too much expectation doesn’t hamper him reaching his full potential, and possibly even surpassing Gascoigne's achievements.

As for the Albion, with or without Grealish, I still fancy them to upset the form book and come away with all three points from the Midlands courtesy of a 1-0 win.