Who’s Rachel Daly? Every part you’ll want to know

February 12, 2025

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Solely two gamers in WSL historical past have achieved the outstanding feat of scoring 22 objectives within the 22-game season.

One is Vivianne Miedema, the opposite? Rachel Daly for Aston Villa.

But for almost all of her worldwide profession, Daly wasn’t used as a ahead as she has been at Villa. As a substitute her nation, England, typically fielded her in defence. However who’s Daly and the way did she turn out to be one of many most interesting goalscorers the WSL has ever seen?

Rachel Daly: Her profession thus far

Ella Toone of England celebrates with team-mates Jill Scott and Rachel Daly

Ella Toone embraces Rachel Daly

Born in Harrogate, Daly got here via the youth programme at Leeds United – the membership she supported alongside together with her household.

After a transfer to Lincoln Girls, Daly determined that she wished to proceed her additional training while additionally nonetheless taking part in at a excessive stage.

Rachel Daly

Rachel Daly is a Lionesses legend

That took her to America for spells with the W-League franchises Los Angeles Strikers and Los Angeles Blues.

Following her commencement in 2016, Daly was within the NWSL school draft and chosen sixth by Houston Sprint.

Over her decade spent Stateside, Daly would develop not solely right into a centre-forward, however one that would discover the online on a constant foundation. She turned the Sprint’s report main goalscorer and helped them to the Problem Cup in 2020.

Daly then introduced she was leaving the NWSL membership in 2022 to hitch Aston Villa. The England star has been taking part in for the WSL membership ever since.

Regardless of turning into somebody a participant who might function because the central striker in America, Daly was typically used on the left wing or later, at left-back by England.

After lacking out on the Euro 2017 squad solely, she began to characteristic as a extra common squad quantity throughout Phill Neville’s time in cost.

Then when Sarina Wiegman took over as supervisor, Daly was in a position to cement herself as first-choice left-back, no imply feat contemplating she was chosen forward of the likes of Alex Greenwood and Demi Stokes.

Daly began each recreation in England’s profitable Euro 2022 marketing campaign however solely featured as a left-back, with Ellen White and Alessia Russo Wiegman’s most well-liked choices up-front.

Following the match, the opportunity of Daly taking part in as a striker gathered vital traction. Firstly, White retired with fast impact after the Euros.

Secondly, Daly returned to English membership soccer on a everlasting foundation by shifting to Villa. She then launched into her excellent season of scoring 22 objectives in as many league video games, serving to Villa to a fifth-placed end within the WSL.

Regardless of Wiegman often utilizing Daly as a ahead within the run-up to the 2023 World Cup – most notably in opposition to Italy within the Arnold Clark Cup when she scored two objectives – Alessia Russo was most well-liked in assault in the course of the finals, with Tottenham’s Beth England typically deployed from the bench.

Katie Robinson, Rachel Daly and teammates of England huddle with Sarina Wiegman, Manager of England, following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia on August 16, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

Rachel Daly celebrates after England’s 2023 World Cup semi-final win (Picture credit score: Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA by way of Getty Photos)

However Daly was nonetheless closely concerned within the Lionesses run to the ultimate, that includes predominantly as a left wing-back in a 3-4-1-2 formation, briefly thrown up entrance within the closing levels of the ultimate, the place England have been overwhelmed 1-0 by Spain.

In April’s Euro 2025 qualifiers, Daly was an unused substitute in a 1-1 draw with Sweden, earlier than approaching for the ultimate 4 minutes of a win in opposition to the Republic of Eire.

The next day she introduced her retirement from worldwide soccer, after successful 84 caps.

Regardless of that, the 33-year-old stays a star at Villa – having scored 55 objectives in simply 70 appearances throughout all competitions.

Who’s Rachel Daly? Every part you’ll want to know

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