Newcastle new boy Cheick Tiote is hoping to follow in the footsteps of role model Michael Essien.
New midfielder has soon settled after jumping at Newcastle chance
Newcastle new boy Cheick Tiote is hoping to follow in the footsteps of role model Michael Essien.
The Ivory Coast international has made an impressive start to life in English football after being signed from FC Twente just before the transfer deadline.
The 24-year-old has been an ever-present in the league since making his debut in the 1-0 win at Everton and has been earning rave reviews as Chris Hughton's midfield enforcer.
That has led to Tiote being compared favourably to Chelsea and Ghana star Essien, and it is a comparison that sits well with him.
"I'm only young but to be compared to Michael Essien is quite a compliment," he told the club's
official website.
Proud
"I'm very proud to be spoken of like that. I've always watched Michael Essien as a role model in midfield and one day I hope to be as good as him - or even better!"
Tiote was part of the Twente squad that won the Dutch Eredivisie title under former Middlesbrough and England manager Steve McClaren last season.
He then played every minute of his country's short-lived World Cup campaign before heading to the Premier League after his former boss assured him he has what it takes to succeed in England.
"Back in Holland, I always watched the Premier League and I really enjoyed watching it, so to now be playing in it is an achievement for me," Tiote added.
McClaren advice
"My manager at FC Twente was Steve McClaren, and he said to me that my style is suited to the English game, so as soon as Newcastle were interested, I jumped at the possibility of playing for them."
Tiote's all-action style has soon made him a fans' favourite on Tyneside and he puts his work ethic down to his humble beginnings.
"I started playing aged 12, in Africa," he said. "Everybody knows that the conditions there are not the best, but you must have the desire and mental strength to get over it.
"That's what made me who I am today. You need to just keep working hard and believe in your ability.
"In Africa, when I started playing football, I didn't have any boots, so that meant I worked very hard on my technique, which helped me when I did wear boots from the age of about 15."
