Aston Villa boss Carla Ward believes Rachel Daly should be playing as a striker for both club and country.
The 30-year-old returned to England over the summer after several years in the United States, most recently with NWSL side Houston Dash. Daly is already Villa's joint top scorer in the Women's Super League since the start of last season, despite only making two appearances in the competition so far.
For England, however, Daly has been deployed in a different position as she started every game of the Lionesses' Euros winning campaign at left-back. Despite fending off competition from Alex Greenwood and Demi Stokes in that role, Ward believes Daly should be given opportunities further up the pitch under Sarina Wiegman.
“100 percent. No ifs, no buts. She’s not a defender, she’s a centre forward," the Villa boss said in her pre-West Ham press conference. “She should absolutely be knocking on the door.
"She’s the highest-scoring English player in the WSL right now, so she should be. Watch this space, surely there will be an opportunity for her.”
Daly has played a key role in Villa's positive start to the 2022/23 campaign as she collected September's Barclays WSL Player of the Month award. The England international scored twice in their opening day victory over Manchester City, she opened the scoring in the 2-0 win over Leicester City and also scored the equaliser against Manchester United in the FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup match earlier this month.
Ward will be hoping that Daly can make it four goals in three league games when they host Paul Konchesky's West Ham team on Saturday afternoon. The Hammers are 9th in the WSL having failed to beat Chelsea or Manchester United after their opening-day victory over Everton.
Ward has praised Daly's impact so far and the positive influence she's had on younger members of the squad. “She’s been brilliant. On and off the pitch," the Villa manager added.
“I could not speak more highly of her in terms of what she does for the youngsters. I’ve never seen a player come in and get all the youngsters around her. They’re all in awe of her, of course, because of what she’s achieved. But what she does for them is exceptional, she’s taken them all under her wing.
“She’ll arrive in with them, she’ll get after them, she’ll make sure they don’t have a single minute off. She sets a standard that is unbelievably high. She’s brilliant, she’s hungry, but she’s a winner. It’s not all rosy, trust me, she’s ready to get after people but it’s great and we’re delighted she’s with us.”
