Rachel Daly, winner of the 2022-23 Women’s Super League Golden Boot, has surpassed all expectations this season, even those of her own manager. Carla Ward, Villa boss, had hoped she would score eight goals, but Daly has gone far beyond that with 22 goals in 22 WSL games and 30 strikes in 30 matches this season. She became the first English woman to win the Golden Boot since Ellen White in 2018 and matched Vivianne Miedema’s record tally from 2018-19. She also smashed the record for most number of goals scored by an English player in a WSL season, set by White with 15 in 2017-18.
Daly’s success is made even more impressive by the fact that she had spent the majority of her career playing in the United States. She had only played two WSL campaigns with Lincoln more than 10 years ago and had spent the first half of the 2020-21 season on loan at West Ham. On her return to England in September, she hit the ground running with two goals in Villa’s 4-3 WSL win over Manchester City and has not looked back since.
In a league stacked with quality number nines, Daly’s goal-scoring instinct puts her among the very best. Her movement in the box and her desire to get into the box is what sets her apart from the rest. Her timing and movement to get into the box and then almost all her goals are one-touch finishes.
Daly’s success has led to speculation that she may start for England at the World Cup this summer, either up front or at full-back. Sarina Wiegman, England manager, has said that there is good competition for the number nine position, but Daly has made her claim with her performances for both club and country. Carla Ward has no doubts where Daly should be starting in Australia and New Zealand this summer and Daly herself is happy to play anywhere for England. With her impressive goal-scoring record this season, it is clear that Rachel Daly is one of the best strikers in England and should be given a chance to prove it at the World Cup this summer.