Interview with Tiote on the Journal

Dont know if anyone's alread posted this but I just wanted to share it. My favourite quote is, when asked about Drogba bringing him to Chelsea, he replies "why cant Drogba join me at Newcastle!". Great guy.

Cheik Tiote not interested in joining Chelsea

Cheik Tiote has signed a long-term contract at Newcastle United as he intends to play in Europe with them, after dismissing suggestions he could be heading to Chelsea in the summer.

Although Tiote agreed a six-and-a-half year contract with United last month, the length of that deal has failed to convince some sceptical supporters he will not be sold.

Having seen Andy Carroll depart for Liverpool in January, despite Alan Pardew’s repeated insistence he was not for sale, trust is low and cynicism rife.

But Tiote does not appear to be interested in a move and dismissed claims his close friendship with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba would draw him to west London.

“We talk all of the time, but he has never said come and join me at Chelsea,” said Tiote, who is one booking away from a two-game suspension when he travels to Stoke today.

“I have seen that Chelsea might be interested and that I could go there to join him there.

“Why can’t he come here to join me at Newcastle!

“When I signed my new contract, he rang to congratulate me. He always gives me advice. He told me to keep working and not to get carried away with what has happened. It is good to talk to him.

“He is someone I look up to like everyone else who plays for the Ivory Coast. He is such a big player, I am very honoured that he wants to talk to me all of the time and help me. He wants the best for me.

“He is a powerful figure back home. He is like a president. I am more well known now, but nothing like him – yet. He is a special man.”

Tiote, a £3.5 capture from FC Twente last summer, is an obvious candidate for Newcastle’s player of the year, a phenomenal achievement in his first year in English football.

The long-term contract was a fitting reward for his effort and The Journal has been told Alan Pardew intends to build his side around the midfield lynchpin this summer. It is a flattering position which does not faze the 24-year-old in the slightest.

He said: “When I signed my new contract my family were very happy for me. They watch me all of the time. Newcastle were the team that gave me a chance to play in England and I am very settled here.

“I am not surprised they wanted me to sign a long-term deal because I have done well here, had I not done well they would not have wanted to keep me.

“I enjoy it here. The club has good ambitions. I would not have signed if I did not think the club had a bright future.

“I am a Newcastle player and I will always do my best for this club. The most important thing is that this club continues to move forward and tries to challenge the top teams in the next few years.

“That is what I want. Obviously if you want to compete with Chelsea, Man U then you have to strengthen. I know the fans would love this club to get back in to Europe and I would love to do that too, so would all of the players.”

Tiote can still remember his first encounter with Stoke City vividly as he reckons it was the game which taught him what English football is all about.

Leading through Kevin Nolan’s penalty just before half-time, a second-half goal from Kenwyne Jones and a late own goal by James Perch gave Stoke victory at St James’ back in September.

It was only Tiote’s second start for his new club and he had never played against a side like them during his time in Belgium and Holland.

He said: “They are not an easy team to play. They are very physical team and you have to work hard to compete. The only player I know there is Salif Diao, from Senegal. They have some quality as well.”

 

What a legend

 

Sorry if this has already been posted, can't see it.

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"I am a Newcastle player and I will always do my best for this club, the most important thing is that this club continues to move forward and tries to challenge the top teams in the next few years. That is what I want. Obviously if you want to compete with Chelsea, Man U then you have to strengthen.

"I know the fans would love this club to get back in to Europe and I would love to do that too, so would all of the players. I have seen that Chelsea might be interested and that I could go there to join Chelsea, why can't Didier come here to join me at Newcastle?

"When I signed my new contract my family were very happy for me. Newcastle were the team that gave me a chance to play in England. I am very settled here. I enjoy it here. The club has good ambitions. I would not have signed if I did not think the club had a bright future."

"I am not surprised they wanted me to sign a long term deal because I have done well, had I not done well they would not have wanted to keep me. If you do a good job, the club has to reward you. When I signed, Didier rang to congratulate me. He always gives me advice. He told me to keep working and not to get carried away with what has happened. It is good to talk to him. He wants the best for me. He is a powerful figure back home. He is like a president. I am more well known now but nothing like him - yet. He is a special man."

Drogba actually called him on the night of his wonder equaliser against Arsenal, which had helped Chelsea stay in touch with the top two in the race for the Premier League title.

"Stoke are not an easy team to play with their style. They are a very physical team and you have to work hard to compete. They have some quality as well. One of my first games in English football was at home to Stoke, it was like welcome to the Premier League. It was so different to what I have been used to. I've only ever came across Rory Delap's type of throw once before and that was a player in Holland, it is very difficult to defend against. It is something else."

"Ever since I scored the fans have shouted shoot when I am outside the box, I would love to score another like that but they don't come along too often. I don't score many goals and certainly not long range volleys with my wrong foot. My game is more about tackling and passing than scoring. I have watched that goal six or seven times and I would love to do it again. It has become a very famous goal and it always feels good to watch it again because it was such an amazing game."

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/8919889.Tiote_has_high_hopes_with_Newcastle/?ref=rss

 

Just posted this as you posted it

 

See if Leazes or AG will merge them

 

Drogba to Toon in the summer anyone?

 

Oh.... Already posted on Cal's...... I was wondering if anyone else thinks there could be any substance to Droga coming to Toon in the summer? If we get him for 4-5 mill and on lower wages I wouldn't think it's beyond the realms of possibility.

 

Maybe, but his age and wages would be a bit too much for our ''transfer policy'', plus I think he'll finish his career back in France with OM.

 

watched the goal six or seven times, yeah right more like 60-70 times

 

I'd love it, there's talk of him going to the likes of Fenerbahce in the summer and he is way better than that. If he was open to it I would love him here, sadly I think he might go back to Marseilles in summer if he leaves Chelsea. Imagine Gervinho, Drogba and Tiote in the same team <salivatingsmiley>

 

I wouldn't be so sure, I think he's got another 2-3 seasons left in the prem and although his pace has deteriorated I think he'd thrive in our setup with the likes of Ben Arfa and Barton supplying him. He's big enough to be a target man in his own right and rarely misses an opportunity, he hasn't lost that strikers touch all of a sudden. If he wanted to finish in France he could play there for a couple of years til he's 36 years old, their standards aren't as high as the EPL's.

 

Done.

 

Really top man. Maybe's I should've voted Tiote instead of Nolan in the 'best player of the year'
poll after all. oops! He seems such a quiet unassuming fella from televised interviews - almost
shy and overawed by the press interest although thankfully this doesn't show on the pitch.

I really hope what I read from interviews such as the Journal etc are by the man himself rather
than some cobbled together and worked over press release by some suits at St James's and
further reality distorted by some rag's hack as I really want to pin future hopes on him as it
appears Pardew is planning too with signing etc for the future of the Toon! Exciting times or
a damp sqib, we'll find out in August. Here's hoping it's great news as my birthday is mid
Aug!

Imagine Drogba joining! I can see the Chronicle headline now - Cheik Mate for Toon success...
<<daydreamsigh smiley>>

 

Tiote is an utter legend and he hasn't even been here a season, says it all about the lad.

Wouldn't want Drogba, had too many signings like him in the past and all were flops.

 

Tiote is an absolute Legend, even if he leaves in the summer Id still love him! Talking about Drogba, we could even put in a cheeky bid for Berbatov who is a known Toon fan. With the emergence of Hernandez who is seeming to be getting more starts then Berba recently even though he is the PLs top scorer, he probably doesnt want to warm the bench too much which may happen if he is below the "Little Pea" and Rooney so who knows...?

 

It's a nice idea but if Berba left Man U a top club in Spain or Italy would have him or even Man City/Chelsea. Maybe when he's a bit older in the last year or two of his career he would come to us but not now while he's still enjoying some of his best years.

 

Berbatov is already 30 so you never know...