Calls grow for Harrogate’s Rachel Daly to start for England in World Cup

Harrogate-born striker Rachel Daly is the centre of attention in the run-up to England’s second Women’s World Cup match tomorrow.

The Lionesses’ Group D match against Denmark kicks off at 9.30am tomorrow in Sydney. It will be broadcast live on BBC One.

England, who scraped home 1-0 against Haiti in their opening match on Saturday, have not scored in 337 minutes of open play.

Manager Sarina Wiegman left out Daly, who was the leading scorer in the Women’s Super League with 22 goals last season for Aston Villa, in favour of Arsenal’s Alessia Russo.

But the team’s toothless display, in which they had 11 shots on target, has increased pressure to start with Daly up front.

Daly training with England. Pic: Rachel Daly Instagram

Ex-England forward Eniola Aluko described the team’s attacking play as “predictable” on ITV and suggested Daly would be more effective at winning crosses from wingers Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly. She said:

“In the first half Russo was playing, but if that is the approach and the pattern of play, should it be Rachel Daly up there instead? She is stronger in the air.”

Daly’s 337,000 Instagram followers have also been clamouring for her to start a match which will see England almost certainly qualify for the knockout stages if they win.

Daly came on as a 76th minute substitute against Haiti, which England won thanks to a re-taken Georgia Stanway penalty.

The former Killinghall Nomads player said afterwards:

‌“No-one’s happy to sit on the bench. If you are, then you are not in the right place, not in the right career. But that’s the beauty of having a competitive squad. Everyone’s digging for a position.

‌“It’s a headache Sarina has to have in multiple positions.”

Read more: