Calling True or False on 5 Recent Chelsea Transfer Rumours

The season's not yet over, but as the summer approaches, the transfer gossip is only going to intensify. Chelsea will be making headlines in the coming weeks as Jose Mourinho looks to strengthen his squad and prepare for an assault on defending the Premier League title.

Indeed, we're already seeing Chelsea connected with a host of big names, while some stars currently at the club are being tipped for a Stamford Bridge exit.

Of all the rumours, which can we take seriously and which are nothing but tomorrow's fish paper?

Join Bleacher Report as we play a game of "True or False" with the latest round of Chelsea transfer gossip.

Roman Abramovich to Decide on Petr Cech's Chelsea Future

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Petr Cech's future has been a talking point all season—will he stay or will he go?

He's been dethroned by Thibaut Courtois as Chelsea's No. 1 and has spent much of 2014/15 on the bench as a result.

For that reason alone, many are predicting Cech's time at Stamford Bridge is up, so where will he move—to another team in England? Or will he choose to move to further afield?

The latest rumours are that owner Roman Abramovich will ultimately decide if Cech can move to another Premier League team.

Reports by Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph suggest the Chelsea owner holds all the cards—despite Mourinho's desire to keep the goalkeeper for the last year of his contract—and out of respect for the service he has given the club this past decade, Abramovich will allow Cech to choose where he moves this summer.

Verdict: True

Antoine Griezmann to Follow in Diego Costa's Footsteps

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Chelsea have benefited significantly from Atletico Madrid this season.

Last summer saw Mourinho bring Courtois back from his three-year loan with the club, while Diego Costa and Filipe Luis were also signed from the 2014 La Liga champions.

Now it seems Chelsea will return to the Vicente Calderon Stadium to snap up another talented star—this time French international Antoine Griezmann.

Atletico only signed him last summer for £22 million, but with a release clause in his contract of just £43.5 million, he certainly appears attainable.

The Daily Mail's Simon Jones reports Atletico will put up a fight to keep hold of their star, but Chelsea have an ace up their sleeve—Luis.

The Brazilian left-back has struggled to settle at Chelsea, and the London Evening Standard's Simon Johnson has long reported he may well return to Madrid this summer.

Chelsea need some more attacking flair, so could a Griezmann-Luis swap (plus significant cash) be on the cards?

Verdict: True

Rob Green to Replace Petr Cech

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

With Petr Cech's expected departure from Stamford Bridge this summer, Chelsea are on the lookout for a replacement as back-up to Courtois.

According to many newspapers—including the London Evening Standard (h/t the Mirror's Liam Corless)—that man will be Queens Park Rangers' Rob Green.

It's a move that makes sense.

Green is 35 and has plenty of Premier League experience behind him. And given his age, he is more likely to accept a reduced role in the team compared to a younger goalkeeper who will be looking to make a name for himself.

Added to that, Green is English. With John Terry, Gary Cahill and Ruben Loftus-Cheek expected to be the only Englishmen in Mourinho's first-team squad next season, the QPR goalkeeper will bolster the homegrown quota.

Green is expected to cost £2 million, which represents good business for a player who will not feature significantly.

Verdict: True

Rickie Lambert to Replace Didier Drogba as 3rd-Choice Striker

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

We've heard some crackers in our time, but the reported interest of Chelsea in Rickie Lambert is surely one of the more contrived rumours associated with the club.

According to the Mirror, via the Telegraph, Chelsea have been scouting the 33-year-old with a view to him replacing Didier Drogba as their third-choice striker next term.

Lambert only joined Liverpool last summer from Southampton, but his return to his hometown club hasn't gone to plan.

He's rarely featured all season, and his form has taken a big hit as a result. Against Chelsea on Sunday, he was disappointing and was subbed off with 20 minutes remaining, replaced by 18-year-old Jerome Sinclair.

We can't see this one happening.

Verdict: False

Chelsea to Capitalise on Jordon Ibe's Contract Breakdown

Julian Finney/Getty Images

According to the Sun (h/t the Express' James Dickenson), Jordon Ibe's contract talks with Liverpool have stalled.

Inevitably, that has led to rumours Chelsea are among a host of clubs—including Arsenal and Manchester City—who are chasing his signature.

It may make sense for their rivals, but chasing Ibe isn't something Chelsea need to be concerning themselves with right now.

Mourinho already has a host of youthful talent coming through in his position, so it doesn't make sense to be in the market for another inexperienced attacking midfielder.

With the likes of Izzy Brown, Lewis Baker and Jeremie Boga to choose from, Mourinho is well stocked. And, that trio (without mentioning their other talented youth team-mates) are more than capable of matching what Ibe can offer Chelsea.

This rumour has more than a hint of an agent using Chelsea's name to hike up the stakes for his client.

Verdict: False

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes