Good question...it's probably random, but a GOOD musician has a "feel" thing going on that might translate well into aiming, trigger squeeze, and all that. It's probably still just a coincidence.
Clapton has been my biggest guitar influence through life, although by far not the only one. Winwood was also a big influence with S.D., Traffic and his solo stuff. I saw Winwood last year at the Borgata in Atlantic City, mostly because a friend of mine was playing sax, flute, organ, and everything else with him. I was amazed that (from the audience) he looks the same and he SOUNDS the same as he did 35 years ago, only smoother. Amazing. It's a good show.