Tiote: I don't need to leave Toon to win trophies
Published 22:30 24/04/12 By Simon Bird
Cheick Tiote says Newcastle's surge up the Premier League means he can achieve his ambitions without quitting Tyneside.
The Ivory Coast star is said to be a target for Chelsea in the summer, and other top European clubs are tracking his progress.
The £18million-rated midfielder is on a long-term contract, but Newcastle's policy of selling players on for big profits means he will be vulnerable to big-money offers in the summer.
But Tiote is happy in the North-East, and said: "I know I can achieve what I want to here.
"I don't know about the speculation. I have four games to play, I think I have to focus on the games because they are important games for the club and for everybody.
"I think that is the most important thing now, we have to do everything we can to win those games. After the season, we will see."
Tiote says striker Papiss Cisse, who has netted in the last six games after arriving from German football in January, has boosted the club's challenge.
He added: "For him, it is natural to score goals. It feels normal. As a striker, it is important to score those goals. If you don't, you start to worry, but he scores every game. It is good for the team, too.
"It is unbelievable that Demba Ba has not scored recently. He played so well on Saturday and has been playing well. But if he keeps playing that he will score and he will score goals all the time."
Toon agree three-year deal for French star Amalfitano (report)
