Newcastle United: Cheik Tiote Is Key to the Toon Army

Newcastle United is coming off of a fantastic season, one which should spark hope and high expectations for the future. But looking ahead, the Toon may struggle to improve on all they've done this year.

At this point, with the exception of a new fullback, Newcastle's starting 11 for next season is pretty much set in stone. They will not add any new impact players tasked with vaulting Newcastle into the top four. Instead, the season will be about the current crop trying to improve amongst themselves.

Yes, they'll add depth, and will have had a full season to build chemistry with Papiss Cisse, but Newcastle will need something more to truly enter the upper echelons of English football.

That's why Cheik Tiote will be key to Newcastle's success next season.

For a midfielder held in such high esteem, Tiote's season was somewhat underwhelming in 2011-12. He only dominated play the way we know he can in a few games.

That's not to say he had a bad season—in fact, he was one of the Magpies' better players—but he can do better, and Newcastle will need him to.

Tiote can be a dominant force in the Premier League if he wants to. He is unrivaled in his combination of fierce defense, great passing and attacking vision.

We've seen it at times. For example, his 100 percent passing effort (43-for-43) against Everton in 2010-11. But for the Toon to improve on the whole we'll need to see it more often.

This season, Newcastle really missed Tiote's presence in both the attacking and the defensive departments during the African Cup of Nations. He scored only nine times in seven games and conceded 13 (including two absolutely dreadful defensive performances against Fulham and Spurs).

For such a consistent team to struggle so greatly when one player is removed from the lineup really shows how important he is to the team.

In total, Tiote played only 24 times in black and white last year. Had he played a bit more, Newcastle may well have been looking forward to Champions League football right now.

When he missed a few weeks in April it took some mighty performances from Papiss Cisse, and some very out-of-character games from James Perch, for Newcastle to win the three games he missed.

Having Tiote for 30+ games next year may even act like a new signing for Newcastle. I'd look out for him to really take the next step in establishing himself as one of the Premier League's elite midfielders.

It is imperative that Newcastle keep a hold of Tiote amidst the rumors of a Chelsea raid. But Tiote says he is prepared to stay with the club, which must be music to Newcastle fans' ears.

At age 25, Tiote is heading into the prime of his career. If he can avoid injury, the football world better watch out.