Newcastle new boy Cheik Tiote has had an impressive start to his Premiership career and is hoping to follow in the footsteps of role model Michael Essien. The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international moved to Tyneside from Dutch side FC Twente.
He has been compared favourably to Chelsea and Ghana star Essien, and that is a label he takes as both a compliment and a challenge.
Answering questions submitted by fans to the club's official website, Tiote said: "Obviously, I'm only young, but to be compared to Michael Essien is quite a compliment.
"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!"
He added: "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.
"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."
