Chelsea in potential bid for Tiote.

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footbal...talk/news/chelsea-to-bid-for-tiote_59211.html

Last Updated: Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 08:24 UK

Chelsea have targeted Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote as a replacement for the injured Oriol Romeu, according to reports.

Romeu was ruled out for six months earlier this week after he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury against Sunderland last weekend.

The Spanish midfielder's injury could result in Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez targeting Tiote as a direct replacement, according to Clubcall.com.

Benitez admitted on Wednesday that he was looking to add to his Chelsea squad in January.

 

If Tiote did go for say £20m given his long contract and we got someone like Sissokho in, I wouldn't be devestated.
The spare cash could be used for Douglas and Debuchy.

 

http://www.clubcall.com/newcastle-united/tiote-back-on-blues-radar-1515754.html

Newcastle are facing another battle to keep hold of Cheick Tiote as Chelsea step up their interest in the midfielder.

Toon boss Alan Pardew fought off late interest in the battling midfielder just before the last transfer window closed and it looks as though he will have to do the same in January.
Chelsea were one of the clubs keen to do a deal back in August and they are in for him again after losing Oriol Romeu for the rest of the season with cruciate knee ligament damage.
Interim boss Rafa Benitez has hinted there will be one or two new signings in January and a holding midfielder is high on his list following the loss of Romeu.
Pardew will do all he can to keep Tiote but he has admitted that he is virtually powerless if one of the big boys come in and are willing to pay the going rate.
Demba Ba has also been linked with Chelsea and with Benitez also in the hunt for a new striker, a double bid could be on the cards next month.

 

Given his form recently I totally agree with this. He is either overrated, or is struggling for form this season - as others are as well mind.

£20m is a lot of money and IF we spent it on players we could end up stronger than before we sold him.

We've dodged the bullet for a few seasons I think apart from AC and Enrique. Only a matter of time before Colo, Cabaye or HBA are sold - it's part of football. Only the top top teams can hang on to all of their players.

 

the key, as you say will be coming out of the other side of a sale with a stronger squad because of it.

 

I'd even take 12m.

He's been inconsistent and off colour for a while now.

We wouldnt' have to spend a **** load of cash to get a replacement in.

Sissokho or Diame would do me.

 

Provided the money is reinvested................

 

should we not target other teams players in the premiership like they do about ours
we can target them, doesn't say we will get them

or would that just give them ammunition to say we are being deluded

 

Just because we've got the best team with the best players and best fans doesn't make us deluded!

 

One worry I have is what a potential sale of Tiote would do to team morale. He's a good player, but we know his sale could help us bring in 2 or 3 good players. Would the likes of Cabaye see it that way? When Carroll was sold the likes of Barton saw that as a step back, even though it's clear the money helped us strengthen. I worry that Tiote leaving could spark a little exodus.

 

Hes been terrible this season and his constant yellow cards causes us problems.

I say if its over £15 million sell him. We can get as good a player consistantly for half the price and reinvest the proceeds.
GG

 

it's a valid point but hopefully two factors may work in our favour...

1- The fact that Barton felt that way and it proved unfounded
2- The players must see Tiote performing a bit below par... plus they won't be happy with his disciplinary record

As with anything... you just never know..

 

I think a change could be good for all parties. Tiote has the ability to boss a game and there have been times over the past couple of seasons he has dictated play to supposedly better opposition (hence he has regularly been linked with moves away). However, he's not been at his best for a little while and a good bit (anything over £15m would be too much to refuse I think, 6 months ago I'd have said £20m+) and we can probably get someone who may not be as good but will be able to play better than Tiote has been this season for much less. I'll only be worried if he goes for less than £10-12m as he's worth more and we wont be able to improve.

 

I thought he hated London? I'd only be happy if his money was wisely used

 

I think we would be very lucky to get 15m plus for Cheick at the moment the way he is playing.

 

The way he's played this season along with his woeful disciplinary record I'd say take the money and use it to strengthen the squad.

 

I think we will struggle to get 15m now unless its Chelsea or Citeh who can be a bit crazy with their money. If you only get 10m (I think thats all you'd get outside those mentioned), then maybe there is not much point rebuilding wise? 15m off Chelsea I'd probably take. I do think it would be best for him and you'd see him improve again, just often the way with fresh environment and need to impress.

Have to say I'm happy to retain Cheick, I still love him!

 

Spot on Tash. I wouldn't shed a tear if we got either of those. Tiote fannies about on the ball too much in dangerous positions for my liking. He's not a shadow of the player he was last year.

 

When he's fannying about on the ball as you say, he's drawing defenders to him and creating space for his team mates to run into.

 

Tiote is having a bit of a stinker currently, but then again who isn't?

I think he's a really important player for us and it would be a mistake to sell him for anything other than upwards of £20m.

Again, you have to worry if that money would be reinvested.