10 Players Who Could Be Axed For Newcastle's Summer Recruits

9. Cheick Tiote

Last season was not a particularly good one for Tiote with only 11 appearances in the Premier League, while Jack Colback and a combination of midfield partners - such as Mehdi Abeid and Vurnon Anita - performed a serviceable job in the centre of the midfield. There must be some question marks surrounding Tiote's temperament at the club and it is hoped that Steve McClaren might be able to get the best out of his former FC Twente pupil but the addition of Georginio Wijnaldum could complicate the midfield picture. While the new Dutch import can play in the middle of the park, it seems unlikely that the club will want to curtail his attacking instincts so it is likely he will play further forward, or at least be given a free role. The problem with that for Tiote is that this could see Moussa Sissoko pressed to sit a tad deeper as Wijnaldum and Siem de Jong move into the space behind the forwards. While Sissoko is no defensive maestro, Jack Colback has proven himself to be more than adequate in the tackle and Sissoko does represent an upgrade on Abeid or Anita. It would therefore appear likely that if Tiote really wants to win back his starting job, he will need to get to work on his passing as he has shown very little quality with the ball at his feet in a black-and-white shirt.