Rachel Daly pissed off to begin England’s opening World Cup sport on the bench

Rachel Daly admits it was tough for her to have been benched in favour of Alessia Russo for England’s World Cup opener towards Haiti on Saturday.

Georgia Stanway’s retaken penalty secured the Lionesses a nervy 1-0 victory at Brisbane Stadium to start their quest for a maiden World Cup, however they haven’t scored in open play since Ella Toone netted towards Brazil in April’s Finalissima at Wembley.

The Russo-or-Daly dilemma was a much-debated matter forward of the 2023 finals, with Tottenham’s Beth England additionally amongst boss Sarina Wiegman’s attacking choices.

Requested how she felt about her supervisor’s determination, Daly mentioned: “I feel anybody can be (pissed off). Nobody is completely satisfied to sit down on the bench. In case you are, then you aren’t in the suitable place, not in the suitable profession.

“It’s a tricky place for Sarina to be, to choose the staff. I respect her selections and I’ll assist Alessia all the way in which and clearly I do know Beth will do the identical.”

Versatile Daly began at left-back for each sport of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022-winning run final summer time, however has at all times performed as a striker at membership degree and was chosen as a ahead for this event.

The Harrogate native’s 22 objectives for Aston Villa within the 2022-23 Ladies’s Tremendous League season had been sufficient to safe her the Golden Boot, whereas she additionally completed joint first for penalties transformed with three.

England was the WSL’s third-best scorer with 14, whereas Russo was joint fifth on 10 with Manchester United team-mate Leah Galton.

Saturday’s Group D contest, towards a Haiti aspect 49 locations beneath the FIFA world quantity four-ranked Lionesses, didn’t do a lot to assuage fears about England’s attacking kind.

Whereas Daly has full confidence in Wiegman, she didn’t rule out the potential of making an attempt to persuade her boss to provide her a shot in considered one of England’s two remaining group video games towards Denmark or China.

Daly, who got here on for Russo within the 76th minute on Saturday, mentioned: “I feel that’s the great thing about having a aggressive squad. I feel everyone is digging out for a place. It’s a headache Sarina has to have in a number of positions. I wouldn’t prefer to be in her footwear, clearly making such massive selections coming into tournaments.

“However she’s a improbable supervisor, we respect all of her selections. It proved tonight that it really works, so we’re completely satisfied.

“I feel motion might be considered one of my strengths. I simply tried to return on and make a nuisance of myself for the defenders, stepping in off the again of Alessia’s massive shift. She did brilliantly once more, and I’m simply prepared once I’m known as upon.”

Focus switches to Denmark. pic.twitter.com/792BAhRJB0

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 23, 2023

The retirements of striker Ellen White and midfielder Jill Scott final summer time mixed with accidents to Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead meant there have been 5 variations between Wiegman’s line-up on Saturday and her unchanged Euro 2022 starters, whereas Daly’s place swap additionally created a gap within the again line.

All that change, Daly speculated, might have factored into why England didn’t look close to their dominant finest in a match many anticipated they’d win handily.

She added: “I imply you possibly can put it all the way down to various issues, however I feel we’re fairly a brand new aspect, a comparatively new aspect. We now have misplaced lots of gamers by harm, retiring. We’re nonetheless constructing, however I don’t suppose it’s a fear and a priority on the minute. Hopefully, extra will come.”