Aston Villa striker Rachel Daly is, at this moment in time, one of the best women’s footballers in England. Want proof? Just check out her goalscoring record this season.

So far, the Harrogate-born forward has scored 20 goals in 20 WSL games this season, making her the top goalscorer in the league – above the likes of Khadija Shaw, Beth England and Sam Kerr.

Additionally, no one in the league has a higher G/A than her – alongside her 20 league goals, she has also registered an impressive five assists.

She seems destined to make a splash for England in the 2023 World Cup – the Lionesses’ squad is somewhat depleted with injuries, which should give Daly a chance to shine on the biggest stage of them all.

Rachel Daly career summary

Daly began her professional career at Leeds United as a youngster, where she remained until 2010. Following this, the 31-year-old enjoyed spells at Lincoln Ladies, Los Angeles Strikers, LA Blues and SoCal FC. Additionally, during her college scholarship career, she played for St. John’s Red Storm.

In 2016, she joined Houston Dynamo in the USA, spending six years there (outside of a brief loan spell with West Ham United). In that time, she scored 37 goals in 101 appearances.

In 2022, Daly moved back to England to sign for Aston Villa in the WSL. Villa have not been one of the strongest teams in the league, but nevertheless, Daly has made her mark.

Recently, during the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup, Daly scored a brace against Italy to give the Lionesses a 2-1 win. Can she carry that momentum into the World Cup?