FC Nordsjaelland defender Jores Okore has claimed he turned down a move to Chelsea in the January transfer window, while Kevin De Bruyne is set to stay at Stamford Bridge with Jose Mourinho ready to give the Belgian international a chance to shine in the English Premier League.
Okore chose not to move to Stamford Bridge as he felt he would get much less playing time with Chelsea, who had a bid accepted by the Danish club.
The 20-year-old is not against moving to a bigger club in Europe, but his priority remains playing consistently in the first team, something that Chelsea, with their abundance of talent in the central defensive position, could not have guaranteed.
"I chose to turn it down (the Chelsea offer) as it did not fit the strategy I have for my future," Okore told TV2 Denmark. "My biggest wish is to play first team football and that was not something that was on the cards.
"Sure, if you are interested in the money, then it would have been the right decision.
"But I love to play football and I want to play football on a regular basis, so if I keep on impressing and playing then I am certain I can develop my game so I can play for Chelsea in the future.
"It was difficult turning down Chelsea, but it would also have been difficult turning down Manchester United.
"You have to think about your own future and I am only 20 years old. For me first team football is the priority. In a couple of years we can talk about money, big clubs and regular football there."
Meanwhile, Mourinho has every plan to keep De Bruyne at Chelsea next season, according to Bayer Leverkusen general manager Michael Reschke.
The 21-year-old Belgian international will face fierce competition for a starting berth at Chelsea and has been tipped for a move away in the summer.
De Bruyne had a splendid season in the Bundesliga on loan with Werder Bremen and is wanted by Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, while Bayer Leverkusen are keen on taking the playmaker on a season-long loan as part of the Andre Schurrle deal.
However, Reschke said Mourinho stopped any chances of De Bruyne being included in the Schurrle transfer.
"At a meeting on Wednesday in Leipzig, Chelsea and Jose Mourinho made it clear that Kevin returns to Chelsea," Reschke told the Bild.
"It was not possible to connect it with the Andre Schurrle transfer."
De Bruyne had said last week he is yet to talk to Mourinho over his future.
"Not yet (spoken to Mourinho), but I think the time will come," he told Sky Sports News. "The season is over now. We will see what happens."
"The most important thing for me is to play games.
"I know that I will be stressed when I play a few games on the bench.
"I always try to give my best for the team and I've had a great season, but also next season I need to play a lot of games. With the point of the World Cup, it's very important."
