There will inevitably, and rightly, be a huge level of affection for Rachel Daly following the shock news of her retirement from international football, which came just 12 hours after she played for England as a substitute against the Republic of D ‘Ireland.
But beyond the recognition of this unique footballer – full-back, winger, midfielder, winger and Women’s Super League Golden Boot winner when actually used in her best attacking position – there is has some relevant questions. Why did Daly make this decision? And what does he say about Sarina Wiegman’s England? Daly’s retirement message revealed nothing. But it seems clear that this is a footballer who feels neglected.
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened pic.twitter.com/Rawl2Ohrkl
-Rachel Daly (@RachelDaly3) April 10, 2024
In the aftermath of Euro 2022, it seemed clear that Alessia Russo would become England’s first-choice centre-forward. Ellen White’s retirement meant that a position was vacant from the start. Russo had been introduced as a substitute in all six Euro matches, scoring four times, including the famous backheel against Sweden in a 4-0 semi-final victory. At 23, Russo was on his way to becoming a world-class, consistent striker.
So far this hasn’t really happened. Russo scored nine WSL goals for Manchester United in the season leading up to Euro 2022 and only slightly improved to 10 in 2022-23. She joined Arsenal last summer but has only managed six this time around. Russo’s overall game has improved, but his scoring return remains modest.
The explosion of goals instead came from Daly. His situation has always been somewhat special; primarily a full-back for England, but a center forward in the NWSL for Houston Dash, and in a brief loan spell for West Ham United during the 2020-21 behind-closed-doors campaign. But his move to Aston Villa, a week after Euro 2022 success, meant his penalty threat could no longer be ignored by Wiegman. She won the Golden Boot, with 22 goals in 22 WSL matches, which must have been a surprise even for her given that she didn’t manage more than 10 in a season in her seven years in the NWSL.
This form was rightly rewarded with an opportunity in front of England. Against Italy in the second of their three Arnold Clark Cup matches last February, Daly started as England’s number 9 for the first time and, in a 2–1 victory, scored two headers center forward classics. Russo started the other two matches, against South Korea and Belgium, with just one goal. So there was a real debate over which option was better for England in attack: Russo or Daly.
But Daly didn’t get many more chances. She was a substitute in the Finalissima penalty shootout win over Brazil this time last year, as well as in the 2-0 home defeat to Australia, where she faced Russo in the last half hour, playing right next to her. She started in attack in a goalless draw against Portugal shortly before the World Cup, but was substituted at half-time and was replaced by Russo in England’s opening 1–0 victory against Haiti.
From then on, Daly returned to the team as a left-back and left-back, starting the next six matches, including the final. With England trailing 1-0 at half-time against Spain, Wiegman surprisingly removed Russo and Daly, who might have fancied her chances of being substituted up top. No, it was his tournament over, and Wiegman ended up turning to third pick Bethany England and Plan B regular Millie Bright.
Since then, Russo has generally led the line. Even when Wiegman left the Arsenal striker out, she favored a rotating trio with Lauren Hemp usually deployed in the middle rather than in her usual position on the wing.
This week, it seems, was the final straw for Daly. She wasn’t used at all in the 1-1 draw against Sweden. Russo started up front, heading in the opener, and when he was substituted with 10 minutes to go, winger Chloe Kelly came on and Hemp moved up front. For the trip to the Republic of Ireland, with Wiegman making five changes, Daly might have expected a rare start. No, she only had four minutes to impress.
GO FURTHER
Bronze seems a must for England – but should it be?
All of this prompted the early retirement of a striker who has outscored Russo 29-16 in the WSL since Euro 2022. Most would agree that Russo’s overall game is superior, particularly in terms of bringing others into play, and he It is reasonable for Wiegman to consider her a better option.
But you can understand the frustration from Daly’s point of view: having a chance up front, taking it with two superb headers against Italy, then being used only sporadically in that role. To Daly’s great credit, she never complained about being used at left-back, but now finds herself behind Niamh Charles in the pecking order. Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter could also be favored in this role when Bright and Leah Williamson become available for selection together in the middle, for the first time in over a year.
Daly’s retirement is a significant personal decision. She’s only 32 and probably still has a few years left. She would surely have made it to Euro 2025 next summer. As for Aston Villa, she doesn’t play for one of the WSL title contenders, so international football was her best chance of winning another major trophy. It must also be recognized that a player’s commercial opportunities are much greater when he plays for England, whose popularity remains absolutely enormous despite somewhat disappointing recent form.
For England, it’s a big blow. Russo was the only other true center forward in this week’s selection. Her form is inconsistent, and if she goes down injured, Wiegman will likely rely on Tottenham’s English striker – in and out of the team for the past two years. Ebony Salmon was also involved, but is ultimately Daly’s replacement at Villa. Nikita Parris, who was part of the squad for Euro 2022 and has scored eight goals in the WSL this season, is another option. Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones shows promise, but he’s a different type of striker and only has nine WSL starts under his belt. Hemp always seems at home on the wing. None of these players is comparable to the one who is – for a few months – still the current holder of the WSL Golden Boot.
All of this leads us to conclude that Wiegman, seemingly so adept at keeping non-playing team members happy, misplayed this situation and may have taken Daly for granted.
Some argue that playing for your country is a privilege that should never be denied, but 32-year-old players don’t want to spend their time constantly receiving calls, traveling around Europe, giving 100 percent in training and then you don’t stand a chance, especially when the alternative is to properly condition your body for the upcoming WSL tests. Wiegman’s coaching in England has been mostly exceptional, but Daly’s retirement, for the first time, will raise questions about his managerial acumen.
(Top photo: Naomi Baker – The FA via Getty Images)