Cheik Tiote, Featured Midfielder of the Week

Newcastle United's Cheik Tiote is quickly establishing himself as one of the best Central Midfielders in the Premier League. From his humble roots growing up in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, Tiote only received his first pair of football boots at the age of 15. He joined his local football club Bibo and as they say the rest is history.

Chris Houghton snapped up the Ivory Coast International from Dutch team FC Twente for what is a snippet  £3.5 million pounds. His debut could not of gone any better as the Magpies achieved an away win at Everton with Tiote completing all of his 64 passes and not conceding possession at all

His style and technique on and off the ball is a breath of fresh air to the Premier League. Alan Pardew has compared him with Essien and personally I would say that Tiote is a much better player with the ball, he is as stubborn with his dictatorship of the game as Hosni Mubarak was with Egypt.

He is an enigma, without the ball he is rugged and he is the most booked player in the Premier league. Who could forget his infamous tackle on Elano in the world cup which left the Brazilian crocked. On the ball he is as elegant as the dance of mating swans, his turns are as sharp as the moods of females and his left foot isn't bad either.

He is Human and he does have his weaknesses. Against Blackburn his self confidence backfired when he tried to dribble his way outside his own area and gave away possesion, which lead to a goal and a defeat for the Toon Army. That surely was a learning curve for the young man and perhaps it is inevitable that he will pick up many bookings because of the position he plays, but he has been instrumental in Newcastle relative succes this season and he could prove to be one of the buys of the season.

Passing: 8/10
Shooting: 7/10
Tackling: 7/10
Composure: 9/10
Intelligence: 8/10
Centre Midfield Grade: B+ 

For a modeste bloke he does have an incredibly large head. Put your funny comments that could go in the thought bubble, in the comment section below. Don't forget to click follow.