Mead, Daly, Salmon: Who should be England's starting striker against the US? | OneFootball

England’s Alessia Russo delighted crowds at Euro 2022, with the 23-year-old particularly remembered for an iconic back-heel against Sweden in the semi-finals.

With Ellen White announcing her retirement soon after the tournament, it was expected that Russo would become Sarina Wiegman’s starting striker.

But the Manchester United star has withdrawn from the latest England squad with a “small injury”, leaving a vacant space in the Lionesses’ attack.

A blockbuster encounter against the United States at a sold-out Wembley awaits, and Wiegman must now choose who will start up-front. GiveMeSport Women assesses her options.

Who can Sarina Wiegman choose as England’s starting striker?

Wiegman chose not to call up a replacement for Russo, suggesting she is happy with her attacking options.

This will be a blow to Bethany England, who was a back-up striker during Euro 2022 but was not selected for the latest Lionesses squad.

But Wiegman already has Ebony Salmon, Beth Mead, Lauren James and Fran Kirby at her disposal when considering who should be her starting number nine. All four would be slightly unconventional choices for varying reasons, but they are all more than capable of getting the job done.

Salmon has only made one appearance for England so far, featuring against Northern Ireland in a friendly last year, but she has been in scintillating form in the NWSL.

Her goalscoring prowess – nine goals in 12 appearances – propelled Houston Dash to a place in the NWSL play-offs.

Salmon told GiveMeSport Women last month that she was “fighting” to become England’s starting striker, and she could well be given her chance on Friday.

If Wiegman feels Salmon is too inexperienced, she may instead turn to Mead and Kirby, or even James.

Both Mead and Kirby started their careers as out-and-out strikers, hitting the back of the net multiple times for Sunderland and Reading respectively, while James often played in the number nine role for Manchester United.

But they have since been deployed elsewhere on the pitch, and there may be some rustiness if put at the spearhead of England’s attack. Their extensive talents may also be needed on the wing or in midfield.

Wiegman does have another option. There is a member of her squad who has experience in playing up front, particularly against American defenders, and is in fine goalscoring form. Rachel Daly.

Why should Rachel Daly be England’s starting striker against the US?

Daly has always played as a defender for England, and featured at left-back during the country’s triumphant run at Euro 2022.

But for the majority of her domestic playing career, spent at Houston Dash in the NWSL, Daly has been a striker.

The 30-year-old scored 33 goals in 95 appearances for the Dash, and since moving to Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League, has kept up her brilliant form.

With manager Carla Ward using Daly as a striker, she has hit the back of the net three times in the opening two matches of the WSL.

In fact, Daly has scored as many goals this season as Mead and Kirby, two of the players in the conversation to start up-front for England.

If they are possibilities, why isn’t Daly? Wiegman has plenty of other options in defence, including Demi Stokes, Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter.

This could be a perfect opportunity to move Daly further up the pitch and see if she can also score goals for England.

If GiveMeSport Women was in charge of England, Daly would be the starting striker against the US, with Salmon replacing her as a substitute later on in the match.

But what will Wiegman actually do? Given she has so much depth on the wings, it is likely she will move Mead into a more central attacking role. England fans will be waiting with bated breath for her decision.