If you're going to have one of your three central midfielders in the Anita mould (keeps side ticking over, great energy/pressing, mobile, excellent short passing, distribution, not overly physical but a fair tackler, little to no attacking impetus) then at least one of the other ones has to have a very good range of long passing and an eye for the 'killer/key pass', even from deep. Tiote ticks the boxes with strength, tenacity, tackling and the ability to generally spoil if required, but doesn't fulfil that role absolutely in the slightest.
That role was filled by Cabaye, and now it's fucking Dan Gosling. Go figure.