5 footballers who surpassed their fathers' achievements

It’s not easy to be a footballer’s son, especially if your father was an accomplished player. Illustrious dads cast a giant shadow on their offsprings. Inevitably, comparisons are drawn between the two, and the father’s accomplishments put the son’s in a bad perspective. The kid is under a lot of pressure just by virtue of being his father’s son.Pressure can break down a man, but pressure also converts graphite to diamonds. Some players are far too talented to remain under their father’s, or in some cases, anyone’s shadow. Their ability and hard work on the training ground and during matches marks them out noticeably. We take a look at 5 footballers who achieved more than their fathers on the pitch.

#5 Jamie Redknapp and Harry Redknapp

Jamie was a Tottenham youth player before signing for Bournemouth to play under his father Harry, who had finished his playing career at the same club. His potential was immediately spotted by Liverpool and Jamie transferred to Liverpool at the age of 17 for what was then a hefty fee of £350,000.

At the heart of the Reds’ midfield, Jamie displayed a great range of abilities that marked him out as a special talent. His spatial awareness, ability to wriggle out of tight areas, eye for a pass and shooting range made him one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League in the ‘90s. 

Although riddled with knee injuries for big portions of his career, which caused him to miss England’s World Cup ‘98 and Euro 2000 campaigns, he was recognized as Liverpool’s biggest influence and was made the captain of the club in 1999. 

Jamie went back to his boyhood club Tottenham on a free transfer in 2002, and after two-and-a-half seasons, he moved on to Southampton for his swansong in January 2005 under Harry, eventually retiring from the game at the comparatively early age of 31.