‘I’m playing with a smile on my face. A lot has changed for me since the Euros’, says England striker Rachel Daly

RACHEL DALY believes she is in the form of her career following a storming first season at Aston Villa before the World Cup. 

And the WSL’s Golden Boot winner is in "a better place mentally" following her move home after a decade playing in the USA.

Daly was speaking on the first day of England's training camp at St George's Park a month before the start of their push for World Cup glory in Australia.

The Leeds-born striker, previously deployed as a full-back by England boss Sarina Wiegman, has been on fire in front of goal. 

Her form for Carla Ward’s Villa saw the team finish fifth in the Women’s Super League  with Daly bagging 22 goals in 22 games.  

She said: "A lot has changed for me personally since the last tournament (the Euros.)

"I’ve moved home and I’ve been away for 10 years so I think mentally I’m in a way better place.

“I needed to be home and playing in this league (the WSL) was something that I wanted to do and revisit again."  

The Lionesses' will face Haiti in their Group D opener which comes just under a year after Daly’s Villa move following six seasons with Houston Dash. 

In 2013 she swapped her career in England for a fresh challenge in the United States joining Los Angeles Strikers from Lincoln Ladies.  

She would go on to sign for Houston in 2016 captaining the team to their first trophy win when they lifted the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.

Daly’s Villa transfer last August following England’s Euros triumph proved to be a shrewd move for the WSL star

Last season she scored 30 goals across all competitions last year with Villa achieving their highest ever finish in the top tier.

Her ruthless form has seen her included as a forward in Wiegman’s squad a year on from playing as a full-back at the Euros.

She adds: "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.

“It’s been a good year for me, I can put it down to my happiness, the way  Carla (Ward) has given me freedom at the club to play my own sort of game. 

“The team around me has been brilliant as has Sarina (Wiegman) at international level.

"I’d probably say it’s the best season I’ve had in my career.

Alessia Russo and Bethany England will be Daly’s main rivals for a number nine starting spot.

Like Daly, both have been in fine form at club level with England racking up 12 goals in 12 games for Tottenham.

Daly added: “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."