Boom Cheik the room!

Tiote's wonder goal celebration.
You may or may not have heard the Real Radio commentary of the amazing 4-4 draw with Arsenal at the weekend, but if you have you will know where the headline has come from.

If you haven’t done so you can listen to it by clicking this link which will hopefully clarify it for you and put a smile on your face at the same time!

The man that grabbed us a point was Cheik Tiote as he unleashed an unstoppable 30-yard left-footed volley past the Arsenal ‘keeper and into the bottom corner of the Gallowgate net to cap what was a remarkable comeback, a history making comeback no less.

It was a fantastic goal, arguably our goal of the season in fact, and I say that for a number of reasons. Obviously it capped a fantastic comeback for us, but it also somehow drew a line under the Andy Carroll affair that had left many people, including me, feeling a bit down and dejected. It was a goal that reinforced the team spirit that the club has with these players, and that will stand us in good stead as we aim for the points that will ensure survival.

It’s been said before, but I’ll say it again, just how good is Cheik Tiote?

Since he has signed he has been immense for us. He has been the tough-tackling midfield general that we have missed, although to be fair I never realised just how much we missed one in all honesty. He can pass, dribble, run, shoot, obviously, tackle and protect the back four. Is he the complete midfielder?

He has to be very close to it, and all for a bargain £3.5 million from FC Twente in the summer. Whether it was Chris Hughton or Graham Carr or, as would be more likely, a combined effort between the two that got this lad to Tyneside in August you would have to admit that it was a very good deal.

The problem is that the performances of Tiote have alerted the big rich clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United. The Red Devils are said to be mulling over a £15 million summer bid, but to me that seems like wishful thinking on their behalf. Chelsea however, have apparently asked Newcastle to name their price. This is more realistic in my opinion, but where would you value Tiote?

Obviously the ideal scenario is that Tiote stays at Newcastle, but give the fact that the club will more than likely want to cash in, what price would you name to Chelsea if they did come sniffing?

I’d say £30 million isn’t out of the question. Deluded? Maybe, a little, but for that money they would be getting the next Michael Essien. When you consider that Essien was unproven in the Premier League and cost Chelsea £24.4 million way back in 2005 you would have to say £30 million wouldn’t be entirely out of the question.

Every player has a price unfortunately, but what price would you put on Tiote? To me he is actually invaluable to us, but if a sale was on the cards, and given what Pardew said the other day a sale would seem likely, what price would you ask for Tiote?

Oh and one more thing…..



Just for you Cheik, and for Justin Lockwood aswell of course!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

79 thoughts on “Boom Cheik the room!

  1. Out of that group I’d say:

    Enrique, Coloccini, Barton, Nolan, Tiote are indespenisble and should only be considered to be sold for at least 50% more than the values I’ve stated above…

    With 35mil to spend, if you add Gervinho (who I’ve mentioned countless times – great young player), Albrighton (to strengthen the right hand side of midfield) and a striker who can hold up the ball and finish… ???

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