Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle United revelation Cheik Tiote's journey from barefoot street footballer
Cheik Ismael Tiote may be one of the outstanding signings of the Premier League season but the Newcastle midfielder didn't own his first pair of football boots until he was 15.[LNB]Tiote spent his childhood playing barefoot on streets and makeshift pitches in his home town Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He was spotted by Anderlecht playing there, by then wearing his own pair of leather boots.[LNB]Today the 24-year-old £3.2 million signing from FC Twente has so many boots and kits, he regularly sends them back to family and friends in Africa.[LNB] Assured: Tiote (right) has looked comfortable in the Newcastle midfield[LNB]Tiote, who starred in the World Cup for his country, revealed: 'Growing up was difficult and there were a lot of basic things missing. [LNB]'I started playing football when I was about 10 but I did not even see a pair of boots for five years so I played barefoot.[LNB]'When I first started wearing boots, it was strange and quite difficult but I gradually got used to them. I think playing barefoot helped me a lot.[LNB] International stage: Ivory Coast midfielder Tiote (No 9) tackles Brazil's Luis Fabiano at the World Cup[LNB]'It teaches you how to control the ball and pass from a very early age. If you are playing in boots, sometimes you can get away with your mistakes. When playing just with your feet, you cannot do that. You have to learn technique. [LNB]'The lifestyle over here for a Premier League player is obviously very very different to what I grew up with. Then I did not have any boots. [LNB]'Now I have about 10 pairs, in fact I have so many, that I send some of them back to my brother at home along with some shirts and things. It is nice to be able to do that for children over there.'[LNB] Redknapp weighs up £20m bid to take Carroll from Newcastle to Spurs Jamie Redknapp: The unlikely lads who have made such a big impactAll I want for Christmas is... Sportsmail's club-by-club Premier League wishlist NEWCASTLE UNITED FC
