After playing a super-sub role at Euro 2022, many expected Russo to be a guaranteed starter this summer, but that is far from being the case
When England kick-off their 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign on Saturday against Haiti, they could well do so with two goal-a-game strikers sitting on their bench. It’s a remarkable prospect that not only shows the strength in depth that the Lionesses take into the tournament, but also the selection dilemma that head coach Sarina Wiegman faces ahead of the tournament.
Alessia Russo has mostly led the line for the European champions for the past year, since the retirement of Ellen White after that triumph at Wembley. However, the competition for her place has only grown as time has passed.
Rachel Daly signed for Aston Villa ahead of the season just gone and had an incredible first year, taking the Women’s Super League’s Golden Boot after equalling Vivianne Miedema’s record for the number of goals in a single campaign.
With Bethany England, Tottenham’s incredibly prolific January signing, also making a late charge to earn herself a ticket on the plane, there is so much for Wiegman to consider when it comes to who will lead the line for the Lionesses down under…
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Russo’s emergence as a starter
Twelve months ago, Russo was England’s super-sub, scoring four goals in six appearances from the bench as the Lionesses went on to beat Germany at Wembley to win Euro 2022. With White retiring in the aftermath, the young forward soon assumed her role at the focal point of the attack, marking her first two appearances after the tournament with goals.
Her clinical finishing, ability to drop deep to contribute to the build-up play and the relationships she quickly formed with those around her all led to Russo making that immediate impact in a more prominent role.
But having only found the back of the net once in her seven appearances for England since, while posting a WSL goal return this past season that was lower than both Daly and England, questions have emerged around her position as the Lionesses’ No.9, especially given how effective she has proven to be as a substitute.
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Daly's switch from left-back
Last summer, Daly did indeed start every single game as England won the Euros – but she did so as a left-back. Wiegman has a real dearth of options in the role, and the versatile 31-year-old proved to be dependable there, though not perfect. After all, she’s always been a forward at club level, but had struggled to break through in those areas for her country, occasionally playing as a winger, but never really as a No.9.
However, Daly’s form for new club Villa proved to be too good to ignore, earning her a chance to start up front in November against Norway – a game she marked with a goal. In February, she got the nod up top again in the Lionesses’ second match of the Arnold Clark Cup. On this occasion, she scored twice more against Italy and was named Player of the Match.
Ending the season with nine goals in her final five league outings for Villa, one fewer than Russo managed all season for Manchester United, Daly smashed a ton of records, won the Golden Boot and helped her club to a record fifth-placed finish.
“I did have a pretty decent year,” she said in modest fashion ahead of the World Cup. “But my answer certainly remains that I'm very happy to play wherever.”
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Battling for the No.9 shirt
Based on the numbers, many might think this is not much of a selection headache. However, there’s a lot more to it than first appears.
Firstly, the work Russo does to create room for others can often go unnoticed, even if it certainly shouldn’t do. She’s a clever footballer with great ability in possession and has formed strong relationships with the wingers at the side of her, as well as with former United team-mate Ella Toone in the attacking midfield role.
During the Euros last summer, White didn’t prove to be the most prolific No.9 for England, but Wiegman stuck with her for each match, using her to tire out defenders before bringing Russo on. Perhaps she envisions the latter now taking up that role, with Daly or England to come off the bench to profit from her efforts.
That said, as mentioned, Daly is taking her chances to shine when she gets them, and it seems Wiegman is a little unsure at who to pick just yet. Both got 45 minutes each to impress in England’s send-off friendly against Portugal, for example.
“Competition has been so high,” Russo said in late June. “Rachel and Beth, we’re all competing. They are top, top players so to be able to play with them and train with them every day has been great. The wingers too. There is so much competition all over the pitch, but as a player that’s exactly what you want in the squad.”
Whatever choice Wiegman makes this summer, the starting No.9 is certainly going to be kept on their toes throughout the Lionesses’ time in Australia.
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Building relationships
Evident in that Portugal game was how much both Russo and Daly have played in the No.9 role in this England team. Daly started and made a lot of really good runs in the game but, after a couple of early chances, she was rarely found by her team-mates. The passes were often just not what she wanted or needed, with those relationships still being formed and fine-tuned between her and the creative forces of the team.
“It's about building those connections,” winger Lauren Hemp said about Daly recently. “We've been working hard in training over the last couple of weeks to be able to find those connections and what she likes best, where she's going to run in the box, when I need her and things like that.”
As for Russo, she came off the bench at the break and was immediately picked out numerous times as England looked to break the deadlock. Fantastic defending from former Chelsea defender Ana Borges was the only thing that stopped her doing that within minutes, but she will have been disappointed with two chances she failed to hit the target with after that.
Either way, she certainly demonstrated how strong those relationships are with the players around her – and, interestingly, how good she can be as an impact sub.