Jores Okore insists he was right to snub Chelsea for Aston Villa transfer

New Aston Villa signing Jores Okore believes he was right to turn down Chelsea’s advances in January.

The 20-year-old caught the Blues’ attention after two impressive displays against them in the group stages of last season’s Champions League for former side FC Nordsjaelland.

But he rejected the opportunity to move to Stamford Bridge in January and instead opted for a £4m move to Aston Villa earlier this week.

And Okore insists he has no regrets over his decision, reaffirming his belief that the Villans will provide him with more opportunities for first team football.

‘I have a good feeling it was the right decision to turn down Chelsea,’ said Okore.

‘I feel that I have arrived at a club that believes in me.

‘The manager [Paul Lambert] has said all the right things and that has caught my attention. This is going to be good.’

Okore’s Chelsea snub came despite his admission that his childhood hero was former Blues captain Marcel Desailly.

But the youngster says he hopes to bring some of the Frenchman’s qualities to his performances for Lambert’s side.

‘I really looked up to Marcel Desailly when I was young and I still do,’ he added.

‘He was my favourite player and hopefully I can play like him and bring a lot into the Premier League like he did.’

Okore’s arrival at Villa Park came as part of a positive week for the Villans in the transfer market, as the west midlands club tiedl and also confirmed the arrival of midfielder Leandro Bacuna.

Roberto Soldado hints at Spurs transfer by revealing desire to play in England

Roberto Soldado has opened the door to a transfer to Tottenham by revealing that he wants to move to the Premier League this summer.

, with Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas known to be a huge admirer.

And in a week when Tottenham were linked with a £10million bid for Soldado, the striker has confessed that he would be keen on the switch.

‘I’m not closing the door to anyone,’ said Soldado.

‘I know that some of my Spain team-mates have left La Liga and done very well. The Premier League is very attractive.’

Spurs are desperate to land a proven centre forward this summer, with Leandro Damiao, Mario Gomez and Robert Lewandowski among the targets.

However, it is thought that Soldado is a more attainable target, with Valencia willing to sell to ease their continued cash crisis.

The 28-year-old enjoyed another fruitful campaign last season, scoring 30 goals in 46 appearances.

Julianne Hough's Geometric Dress Looks Like Construction Paper Couture

First things first: we love all the colors in julannie's Roksanda Ilincic cocktail frock, and they're doing wonders for her fair hair and deep complexion.
Now for the bad news: we're not sure we like all those colors together. Something about the patchwork shapes make the Rock of Ages star look like she's wearing our grad school art project—the one where we were told to rip up paper in tons of fun shapes and then glue it all together.
       

Maybe it's the tattered nature of the boucle wool? Or the fact that there's no rhyme or reason to the pattern? We're hesitant to call Julianne's choice a total miss, so we'll just say what Mom used to say in reaction to our grammar school art:
Oohh! How imaginative!
 

Edinson Cavani is in transfer talks with Manchester City, says his mum

Edinson Cavani has held transfer talks with Manchester City and Real Madrid but not Chelsea, his mother Berta Gomez has revealed.

Cavani, 26, is edging closer to the exit door at current club Napoli with president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirming earlier this week a deal could be done.

, but according to the player’s mum, a switch to either City or Madrid is more likely.

‘Edinson is talking to Manchester City and Real Madrid,’ she announced. ‘Napoli have spoken to Chelsea about my son, but there is nothing concrete there.

‘In 15 or 20 days we’ll know his destination. When there’s something concrete, his family will be the first to know.’

Cavani is unlikely to be sold for anything short of his buyout clause, which is currently set at £53million.

City are believed to favour the striker over their other targets that include Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski.

BEST LOOKS: SHAKIRA

On stage, Shakira is known for her high-energy performances and penchant for crop tops, but it is her stunning vocals in English and Spanish that have won her over 250 music industry awards and led to worldwide record sales of 75 million albums and counting. Over the years her bohemian style has developed a sophisticated edge, blending rocker-chic with a flare for loud prints and sequins. Take a look at the cover girl's best looks through the years.

Here, the new mom wears leather pants and a graphic print jacket for an interview on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.

Mark Clattenburg set for Stamford Bridge return for first time since racism row

Mark Clattenburg will return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he was embroiled in a racism row with John Obi Mikel, when he takes charge of Chelsea’s must-win clash against Swansea.

The Blues’ 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United in October was marred as Clattenburg was  

The referee was following an investigation by the Football Association, but missed several weeks of action while the case was ongoing.

Following the findings, the Blues – in conjunction with the Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials Limited – issued a statement insisting the would have no problem with the referee officiating their games in future.

‘Chelsea FC made it clear they would welcome Mark Clattenburg back to Stamford Bridge in the future and PGMOL would have no issue in appointing him to a Chelsea FC match going forward,’ the statement said.

Chelsea and Clattenburg have not been involved in the same match since the incident but both parties will look to put the misunderstanding behind them as the Blues host Swansea on Sunday.

And it’s a doubly important day for the west London side, who will now feel they must win all of their remaining Premier League fixtures in order to secure a top four finish this season, following yesterday’s

Joe Hart berates complacent Manchester City team-mates after Spurs defeat

Joe Hart has hit out at his Manchester City team-mates following their capitulation against Tottenham.

Despite leading 1-0 through a fifth-minute Samir Nasri goal at White Hart Lane yesterday, the reigning Premier League champions conceded three goals in six second-half minutes to leaving goalkeeper Hart furious.

‘We took the lead and didn’t kick on from there. Second half we just kind of existed and paid the price,’ he said.

‘I just thought we took our foot off the gas and you can’t do that.

‘Spurs have got a lot to play for and congratulations to them but I’m not really interested in them.’

It’s not the first time this season Hart has 

The England international was reprimanded by boss Roberto Mancini for his comments following the Citizens’ 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid, during their disastrous Champions League campaign.

And Hart added the fact Manchester City have no excuse of fatigue due to their early European exit makes yesterday’s defeat even harder to take.

‘We messed up in Europe and we have had plenty of weeks rest so I don’t think that is what it is down to. It was just a poor second half,’ he added.

But Hart says despite the setback – which could allow Manchester United to clinch their 20th top-flight title tonight – the players will recover, especially with next month’s FA Cup final in mind.

‘We will bounce back easily, it is what we do,’ said the 26-year-old.

‘We have proved that many a time. We have a big game coming up (against West Ham).

‘It is always good to win at home and we have got the FA Cup final that all the boys are trying to win their spots for.’