England’s Rachel Daly feels she is heading to next month’s Women’s World Cup in the best physical and mental shape of her career.
Daly spent nine years in the National Women’s Soccer League — including seven seasons with Houston Dash — before returning to her homeland last summer to join Aston Villa.
The 31-year-old, who has previously played in defence for her country, thrived up front in the Women’s Super League, scoring a league-high 22 goals in 22 games.
England held their first pre-World Cup training session on Tuesday’s ahead of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, and Daly told reporters she is in a “way better place” compared to four years ago in France.
“I’ve had a pretty good year, it’s been a good year for me,” she said.
“I think I can put it down to my happiness, the way Carla (Ward, the Villa boss) has given me freedom at the club to play my own sort of game; the team around me has been brilliant and Sarina (Wiegman, the England manager) again at international level. I’d say it’s probably the best season I’ve had in my career.”
“A lot has changed for me personally since the last tournament, obviously moving home. I’ve been away for 10 years, so I think mentally I’m in a way better place. I needed to be home.
“I think…
