20 February 2023 , 09:03
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Rachel Daly insists she is happy to play anywhere for England after scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Italy - but conceded playing up top comes "naturally".
The Lionesses made it two victories from two in the Arnold Clark Cup with Aston Villa's Daly heading home twice, after she was deployed as a centre forward by manager Sarina Wiegman. It means that the WSL's joint top goalscorer has three goals in the last two internationals she has started as a striker.
But Daly was used at left-back throughout the successful run at the European Championship last summer and has continued to feature there for England since. At club level, since moving to Villa she has played exclusively as a forward and has produced goals in return.
Speaking after the win against Italy, Daly reiterated that she would play in any position for the Lionesses, but admitted playing as a forward came more naturally.
"My celebration was a bit mad," she told Sky Sports. "I don't really know what came over me and I've been getting some stick off the girls. But it was obviously nice to get on the scoresheet as a forward, but ultimately it's about the team and the win.
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"I'm pretty straight, but it is the truth, I am happy with whatever role I am put in (by the manager) and I'll do my best, wherever that may be.
Daly also scored when started as a number nine against Norway in November (Pressinphoto/REX/Shutterstock)"Playing in the nine position is what I do, week in, week out, so it comes a bit more naturally. But whatever role I'm put in I'll do it to the best of my ability."
Daly is already into double figures for Villa in the WSL this season and her two goals were the hallmark of a confident forward bang in-form. She will now go into England's final game with Belgium with a real chance of winning the tournament golden boot, although she will be competing for a centre forward place with Alessia Russo and Ebony Salmon, who so far has only seen 12 minutes on the field in the tournament.
But Daly says the competition for places has to be expected when the depth of quality throughout the squad is so strong.
"We stayed patient," Daly told ITV1. "We conceded a goal in the second half we are disappointed with but ultimately we stuck to the gameplan and got a win. There were lots of great performances throughout the team today.
"I think I'm pretty good in the air, which is probably helped by playing all over the place in different positions. It was a fantastic ball from the LJ (Lauren James) for the second one and Robbo (Katie Robinson) for the first one, it was just right place, right time.
"I'm here to score goals when I play upfront and it was enjoyable today, the team played brilliantly well today.
"The amount of changes comes with the depth we have in this squad. There are some unbelievable players in this team, and every single one of them is capable playing are any given time.
"It keeps us on our toes, but that competition is so healthy and we are all thriving and enjoying the challenge."
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