England striker Rachel Daly believes she is heading to the Women’s World Cup in the best form of her career.
Daly was top scorer in the Women’s Super League this season, scoring 22 goals after joining Aston Villa in the summer.
The 31-year-old played as a right-back while helping the Lionesses to Euro 2022 glory last summer, but is now in the squad for next month’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as a forward after shining up front for Villa.
Daly believes the past season was the best of her career and she is relishing competing with Alessia Russo and Beth England to lead the line for the Lionesses.
“It’s been a good year for me,” said Daly. “I think I can put it down to my happiness, the way [Aston Villa coach] Carla [Ward] has given me freedom at the club to play my own sort of game.
“The team around me has been brilliant and Sarina [Wiegman] at international level. It’s all healthy competition but I’d probably say it’s the best season I’ve had in my career.
“I think the good thing is that we all push each other. It’s a completely healthy competition. There’s no, ‘I’m the best’, we’re all great friends.
“We’re pushing each other, we’ll continue to push each other. I’ve got their back, they’ve got my back. It’s a really nice place to be.”
After winning the Euros, Daly moved to Aston Villa from Houston Dash bringing an end to a 10-year spell in the United States.
“A lot has changed for me personally since the last tournament, obviously moving home - I’ve been away for 10 years so I think mentally I’m in a way better place,” she said.
“I needed to be home and playing in this league was something that I wanted to do and revisit again.
“It’s a different position for me in terms of internationally to club level. A lot has changed for me but I think you can all tell that I’m playing with a smile on my face and enjoying my football and long may that continue.”
