At the top of the Premier League Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel are in a race for the title. At the bottom Jores Okore is involved in a battle for survival with Aston Villa.The statistics further down the page show that Aston Villa without Okore are a sorry picture. But with him it looks completely different. (A couple of pie charts showing won/lost/drawn with and without Okore)I guess there must be something in it Okore says to Ekstra Bladet with an openness seldom seen in a footballer, that isn’t usually first in line to take credit for his good performances But it’s been like that whenever I’ve played, regardless of team line up or manager, we’ve picked up points when I’ve played. I pull my weight and deserve to play, he says.The Birmingham club are to a degree dependent on their Danish star, that appears to have finally gotten over the injuries in his knee that have restricted the opportunities in the PL for the 23-year-old kid from Nørrebro.But maybe they shouldn’t get too dependent. Come the summer Okore might well be on his way out of Aston Villa. Regardless of whether Aston Villa survive or not.Already in the January transfer window, the first feelers were out from other clubs in the Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga. These approaches were quickly dismissed, both by Okore who wants to help ensure survival and by Aston Villa who want to save themselves.Come the summer and the situation will be different, with the prospect of long conversations between Okore and his Nikola Juric. With one year left on his contract and the possibility of being with a club playing in the second tier has the time come for Okore to move on?“Of course you think about what would happen if we’re relegated,” says Okore.”I feel like I’m ready to move to a bigger club and prove I can play at that level. I’d prefer to play in the Premier League, but Champions League would be more important, so if there’s an offer from a club with that possibility, I’ll listen to that,” says Okore, who still believes that survival is possible, but who hasn’t heard anything from the club with regards a contract extension.”If they’re not rushing to extend, then I don’t need to rush either. We’ll have to wait to hear what they can offer,“ he says, and doesn’t think he owes the club anything, even though they helped him through a difficult period with injuries.“I also had to wait a long time, each time I was ready, before I got the chance to prove I was good enough. That’s irritated me. So it probably just about balances out. It’s difficult to say that I owe them. But I want to help see this club through to better times.“Football is a team sport, but with individual goals,” says the defenderIt could be fun to play for a club that plays at the fun end of the table. I feel like I’ve done well, adapted to the Premier League. Now I need to see if I’m good enough to play for a bigger club. That’s what you want as a footballer.Rejected clubs from several leaguesJores Okore has already turned down an opportunity to join Chelsea. That was when he was a major prospect at FC Nordsjælland. The time wasn’t right for such a big move. Instead the next step in his career was Aston Villa.When 23 year old Okore’s agent, Nikola Juric, looks for a new club for his player in the summer, it maybe won’t be that category of club where the offers come from. But there is a definite interest“There was interest from all of the major leagues in the winter transfer window, but they were all rejected immediately. It just wasn’t the right time for JoresThe enquiries came from several Premier League teams, both at the top and mid-table. Three or four from the Bundesliga and in addition a top 6 team from Spain,” says the agent.”We’ll have a chat when the season is over. I’m focusing on the games and he deals with any calls that come in. And then we’ll make a plan,” says Okore who also confirms that he’s ready to stay if that’s what happens.Prayer from the fans: Make him captainWhy Okore could be our most important player.Aston Villa fan site avillafan.com have this headline on page arguing why Jores Okore is the man you turn to when the club needs to be saved from relegation. The conclusion is clear – make Okore captain.The relationship between the Dane and the Birmingham club’s fans is obviously warm. Okore has won hearts with his playing style, but also by e.g. sitting amongst the fans and watching a pre-season friendly at the start.”I really like them. They support us through thick and thin. They’re fantastic. In return it seems like they like me too,” says Okore and reveals that the possibility of becoming captain is at the back of his mind.“I spoke with Kasper Hjulmand at FCN about the possibility of developing into a captain and he thought it was something worth working on. That’s why he made me vice-captain after (Nikolaj) Stokholm.It’s something I’d have to work on, but maybe there’s a bit of a captain hidden in me. But that’s not the priority,” says Okore who right now is more focused on developing his playing abilities.”It can be a big burden to take on,” he says.Even though the fans have pointed him out as a rescuer, he can’t save Aston Villa alone. “I’m just a defender, so it’s obviously important to keep a clean sheet and help the team defensively, it’s there that I can contribute most. Then the attackers need to score the goals,” is the message from Okore who on Sunday meets Liverpool in yet another important match in the attempt to survive in the English top flight.
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