ALAN Pardew believes owner Mike Ashley has reassured Newcastle United’s fans “in the best possible way” by tying down Cheick Tioté until 2017. Now the Magpies manager hopes it helps persuade José Enríque and Joey Barton to sign new deals.
Ivorian Tioté yesterday agreed a new six-and-a-half-year contract, hours before assistant manager John Carver extended his own by five years.
Carver, who last month joined until the end of the season, is a popular figure on the training ground, but the news on Tioté will do more to lift the mood on the terraces when Bolton Wanderers visit St James’ Park today.
Signed from FC Twente in August, the combative midfielder has made an instant impression, leading to speculation about him joining a “bigger” club. Having been unable to find a deadline-day replacement for Andy Carroll, Pardew hopes Tioté’s contract calms supporter fears until he spends his £35m windfall.
“After the sale of Andy I think everybody involved with Newcastle, in the dressing room and on the terraces, was a little bit concerned,” the manager said. “But I think Mike Ashley wanted to answer that and I think he’s done that in the best possible way.
“For me and my staff I think it’s important – very, very important – and for the fans as well, because they have taken to him and he’s a very important player for us, someone who would be very difficult to replace.
“He’s done exceptionally well in his first year and he’s hopefully somebody we can build a side around because he does give you that protection to play four midfield players. When you play against five in midfield you need that energy to keep two strikers on the pitch.
“The bigger clubs are always going to be interested in your players and I think we’re doing our best to secure the biggest asset we have.”
Tioté cited the supporters as a major factor in his decision. “I’m so happy for the fans because I love to play for Newcastle,” said the midfielder, who featured at the last World Cup.
Carroll signed a five-and-a-half-year deal in October, only to join Liverpool in January. While the length of a player’s contract is little indication as to how long they might stay, it offers Newcastle greater security.
Tioté’s gesture is encouraging, and the subsequent wage increase will make him harder to lure away. If and when that happens, Newcastle should be able to extract a bigger transfer fee.
Highlighting what he feels are the differences between Tioté and Carroll, Pardew said: “It (Carroll’s departure) was an exceptional situation in terms of the bid and the player’s experience. We hope we guard against that with this statement.
“I’m afraid no one is unsaleable, but the difference is Cheick wants to stay here. Although Andy said that, he went.”
Tioté and Carver follow Steven Taylor, Nile Ranger, Mike Williamson and Carroll in committing to the club long-term. All signed five-and-a-half-year extensions this season, in line with Pardew’s deal.
Next on the agenda are Enríque and Barton, whose contracts expire in the summer of 2012. Enríque has asked for talks to be delayed until the Magpies know which division they are in next season; Barton rejected the “decent offer” (in Pardew’s words) put to him.
“It’s difficult negotiating with any senior player at this level and I think Joey’s view is to perhaps see what happens in the summer,” said Pardew. “As a manager I want to keep him and I’ve made that clear to Mike (Ashley).”
Not that he has any concerns about Barton’s commitment. “I’ve seen nothing to suggest that on the training ground and in games, he’s been brilliant this year,” he said. “When the player of the year comes around, he’ll be right in there with a shout for it and quite rightly so.”
