Rams gamble on Ravanelli

Fabrizio Ravanelli: Signed to add a cutting edge

BBC Sport Online's Simon Austin argues that Derby's season could hinge on whether the Fabrizio Ravanelli gamble comes off.

Derby survived last season thanks largely to good organisation and an impressive work ethic.

The Rams overcame a disastrous start to steadily climb the table and eventually avoid relegation with a little comfort.

This time around manager Jim Smith has added Fabrizio Ravanelli to his squad in an attempt to add cutting edge and panache to his side.

Although protracted, the transfer is understandable.

  Derby ins and outs

INS:

Fabrizio Ravanelli (Lazio) free

Stefano Eranio (rejoined)

Riccardo Maspero (Torino) loan

OUTS:

Rory Delap (Southampton) £4m

Ravanelli is a former Italian international, has played for some of the finest clubs in Europe and scored more than 30 goals when he last played in the Premiership.

The Rams often struggled to score goals last term and Ravanelli appears the ideal solution.

His experience and charisma could also be of invaluable help to Derby's promising young striker Malcolm Christie.

But the signing is a risk. Ravanelli was prolific during his time at the Riverside but was also a fractious presence.

He was constantly quoted criticising Boro's training facilities and players and became a divisive influence in the changing room.

The White Feather is also 32 and hardly played first-team football when he was at Lazio last year.

The only other players into Pride Park this summer are Stefano Eranio, who has has rejoined Derby just two months after he left the club to go back to Italy, and loan-signing Riccardo Maspero.

The most notable departure is Irish wing-back Rory Delap, who moved to Southampton for £4m.

Smith will be delighted that he managed to hold on to his triumvarate of fine young English players.

Clinical striker Malcolm Christie, cultured defender Chris Riggott and tenacious midfielder Seth Johnson were all coveted by other clubs but have chosen to stay at Derby.

Smith will also continue his partnership with his assistant Colin Todd, whose arrival at Pride Park galvanised a struggling outfit last season.