My tribute to Jimmy Greaves (RIP)

My Answer on Quora.

Jimmy Greaves was a phenomenal talent and a natural goalscorer if ever there was one. Although he largely played before my time I have seen enough footage and reliably dissected his numbers to realize that he ranks with Bobby Charlton, Michael Owen, Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and perhaps Harry Kane as one of the greatest English forwards.

Jimmy Greaves in a Tottenham kit source: Tottenham Hotspur website

In terms of an innate sense for goal I would place him alongside an uninjured Michael Owen. He was a predator par excellence with a strong pace and an explosive acceleration. ‘Greavsie’ rarely fluffed his lines and was clinical in his finishing on goal.

The Londoner played for a host of different clubs in a career that lasted from 1957–1980 however the bulk of his time was spent at Chelsea (his youth club) where he notched 132 goals in 169 appearances and Tottenham Hotspur, scoring a phenomenal 266 goals ls in 321 appearances. He also represented West Ham United and had a brief stint with AC Milan in Serie A.

To this day he remains the highest goalscorer in English top flight league football with 457 goals, winning the league’s golden boot on six occasions.

Greavsie playing for England source: Sky Sports

Greaves played 57 times for England and scored 44 goals including a record six hat-tricks. In terms of overall goal scoring for his country this places him fourth on the all-time list behind Wayne Rooney (53), Charlton (49) and Lineker (48).

However Greaves’ goals per game ratio (0.771) is better than his chief rivals - Rooney (0.441), Charlton (0.462) Lineker (0.600), Owen (0.580), Kane (0.640) and Shearer (0.476).

Although he did not feature in England’s famed 4–2 World Cup final win in 1966, as a result of injury (else he was virtually certain to start), he did pick up a World Cup winners medal to add to the two FA cup wins and European Cup Winners cup trophies all won during his spell at Spurs. He also won a Serie A title with AC Milan during his unhappy stay at the Italian club.

After retirement Greaves served as a pundit and was co-host along with Ian St John of the popular Saint and Greavsie show that lasted from 1985–1992 and until his death remained a colorful figure on the English football scene with a great sense of humor and witty commentary.

Unfortunately, like the other great football legend of the time, George Best, Greaves struggled with alcoholism which resulted in a four year absence from the game during the tail end of his career.

However such struggles cannot detract from his achievements on the field. He was an immense player whose prolific numbers guarantee him a voice in the debate around England’s GOAT. Opinions will differ but he will surely gain the vote of many an old time football enthusiast. He deserves it.

Rest in Peace Good Sir and thanks so much for your contribution to the game.