Hull City’s recent spree shows no sign of slowing down as they have now agreed on a loan deal for the once highly-rated Italian central defender, Andrea Ranocchia. Marco Silva has come in and has increased the level of football immediately. There is a buzz around the KCOM Stadium and after a number of dreary and depressing months, there is hope of at least a fight to thwart relegation.
The display against Chelsea was a huge positive and although the Blues won the match 2-0, the fight and the adventurous approach displayed by them pointed to a different approach from the Tigers. And the win against Manchester United showed their ability to cross the finishing line against the top clubs. It will be an interesting battle at the bottom and none of the teams would be willing take them for granted any longer.
It is not that they were not up for a fight under Phelan, but it was mostly a defensive approach which boiled down to desperate blocks and last ditch clearances more often than not. And the former caretaker manager could not have been blamed for that, with the team at his disposal clearly lacking the quality to go on and take teams head on.
But Silva has instilled a new belief and Hull have looked a far more arduous outfit under him.
And he has worked overtime with the club and has brought in a handful of players. There have been two exits but the money recouped from the sale of Snodgrass and Livermore has helped them to make necessary additions.
And after bolstering his midfield and options out wide, he has targeted the central defence as an area which needed strengthening and will be delighted to have completed this deal.
Born in Assisi in the province of Perugia, Ranocchia started his career at Perugia then in Arezzo. Ranocchia played for Arezzo’s Primavera team in 2005–06 season. He made his professional debut with the Arezzo senior side in Serie B under manager Antonio Conte during the 2006–07 season.
After spells at Bari and Genoa, he was brought on board by Inter in 2010. After a 5-year period, he was moved on loan to Sampdoria on 28 January 2016.
Ranocchia has been described as a large, strong, and physically imposing centre back. His tactical sense and his positioning have also been lauded. He is a good tackler but the area of his expertise which has gotten him the most praise is his aerial ability which will hold him in excellent stead in the League.
The 28-year old is a welcome addition to the squad and Hull look more than ready to take on the last few months which will either make or break their season.
