Calling True or False on Chelsea's Latest January Transfer Rumours

It was two years ago that in one afternoon Chelsea spent the best part of £74 million on acquiring Fernando Torres from Liverpool and David Luiz from Benfica.

The excitement coming out from Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day was palpable as fans welcomed two new heroes to the club. Indeed, although the January transfer window comes with the stigma of making major changes to a squad midway through a season, Chelsea have long made a habit of conducting some of their transfer dealings in the winter window, often to good effect.

Last season saw Gary Cahill join the Blues from Bolton Wanders, while in 2008 another former Trotter in Nicolas Anelka arrived at Stamford Bridge for £15 million.

With Chelsea already snapping up Demba Ba this January, Bleacher Report takes a look at some of the other rumoured ins and outs along the King's Road.

1. Marko Marin to CSKA Moscow (loan)

It's been a frustrating first season in English football for Marko Marin after he joined Chelsea from Werder Bremen last summer.

Injuries meant he had to wait for his debut, but by the time he got his opportunity against Wolves in late September in the Capital One Cup, the likes of Oscar and Victor Moses were ahead of him in the pecking order.

It's clearly had an impact on his confidence too; with his Bremen performances that convinced Chelsea to sign him a thing of the past, he has struggled to make a mark.

Marin's performance against Brentford in the FA Cup demonstrated a player low in confidence, and a change of scenery for the remainder of the season could be just what he needs to restore not only his confidence, but that of Chelsea's in a player who came so highly rated.

The Daily Mail's David Kent has reported CSKA Moscow are interested, and it could be a good move for the young German.

Verdict: Marin to leave (on loan)

2. Falcao to Join Blues from Atletico Madrid

Falcao's astonishing form continues for Atletico Madrid this season, and while rumours of his imminent arrival at Chelsea have dissipated somewhat since Demba Ba joined the Blues, don't for a second think the Colombian isn't still on Roman Abramovich's radar.

As he proved with the signing of Fernando Torres in 2011, Abramovich often gets what he wants. Two years ago, his pursuit of the Spaniard seemed to come to an end until Chelsea shocked the world of football and broke the British transfer record on deadline day by snapping up Torres for £50 million.

It's difficult to see it happening this time out, however, with Falcao seeming to distance himself from a move to Chelsea, as Richard Arrowsmith of the The Mirror recently reported.

Verdict: Not going to happen (in January at least)

3. Florent Malouda to QPR

It's a shame that after all he has achieved with the club that Florent Malouda's time at Chelsea should come to such a sour end.

Currently out of the first team and training with the club's younger players, the Frenchman played an important role in helping Chelsea win the Champions League last season. In 2010 he was also a key figure in the club's historic double success.

That said, there is little room for sentiment at the top, and with Malouda's contract nearing an end at Chelsea, a move away from the club seems imminent.

Of all the rumours abound, however, the one that seems most concrete is the apparent interest from QPR, as reported by The Mirror's Richard Arrowsmith. Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to bring in new faces at Loftus Road to help inspire a great escape for Rangers as they bid to stave off relegation, and Malouda's experience could be the perfect antidote.

He may not have the ability to inspire teams to major honours, but Malouda remains a fine player that the likes of QPR should be falling over themselves to snap up.

Verdict: Malouda to leave in January

4. Frank Lampard to Join LA Galaxy

Everybody knows Frank Lampard's time is up at Chelsea, but when will he leave the club and who will he join?

Well, with Bobby Tambling's goalscoring record firmly within his sights, it would be a surprise were Lampard to leave Chelsea in January. He sits just seven goals behind his fellow Chelsea legend, and with 15 league games remaining—not to mention the FA Cup and Europa League—the England international will back himself to become the club's greatest goalscorer by the time 2012/13 is out.

As for his destination, while rumours of a move to L.A. Galaxy continue to resurface (via SkySports.com), is Lampard willing to sacrifice so much by retiring in the U.S.?

He evidently thinks he can still play at the highest level in England, and by that assumption, still regards himself a contender for a place in Roy Hodgson's 2014 World Cup squad.

Lampard would have seen what happened to David Beckham when he moved to MLS, and by moving Stateside he will be effectively killing off his international career.

Factoring in personal issues, with his celebrity girlfriend unlikely to give up her career in the U.K. and his children living in London, and it becomes even more difficult to see him leaving Europe.

Verdict: Leaving in the summer, but not for L.A. Galaxy

5. Stephane Mbia to Arrive from QPR

With QPR's apparent interest in Yann M'Vila coming to an end with his move to Rubin Kazan, the potential of Stephane Mbia joining Chelsea has waned somewhat.

But was it ever a possibility? Rumours of the QPR midfielder's potential move to Chelsea first surfaced in L'Equipe (via 101greatgoals.com) and seemed plausible on the surface, given Chelsea's need for some added grit in midfield.

A quick look at the Chelsea squad, however, shows they have an embarrassment of riches in midfield, and while Mbia would bring something different to what they currently have at their disposal, the return of John Mikel Obi after the Africa Cup of Nations will give them extra backup, with David Luiz also showing he is more than capable in a defensive midfield role.

Besides, one would have to question the wisdom is signing a player in Mbia's position from the Premier League's bottom team, that in turn has one of the worst defensive records.

Verdict: Not going to happen