Calling True or False on Chelsea's Summer Transfer Rumors

Of course, it's Chelsea, so the rumors of players coming and going from Stamford Bridge are going to reach fever pitch this summer.

The Blues will have a new manager—widely expected to be Jose Mourinho—and with that appointment, a flurry of transfers in and out of the club are expected as the new boss shapes the team in his vision.

But of all the players linked with moves, not many will actually come off. In fact, it will just be a small percentage, with tales of other potential transfers nothing more than tomorrow's fish-and-chip paper, as the English proverb reads.

With this in mind, Bleacher Report looks at the five top rumors connected with Chelsea so far this summer and judges whether there is any truth in them or not.

Come back on Sept. 2 when the transfer window closes to see how right or wrong we were.

David Luiz to Barcelona

Apparently, Chelsea have a fight on their hands to maintain the services of David Luiz this summer, with the Daily Mail reporting Barcelona are preparing a £40 million bid for the popular Brazilian.

It has been reported that incoming Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho doesn't rate his defensive capabilities, and the Daily Star has followed up on this story by suggesting Luiz is demanding "showdown talks" when the Portuguese's appointment is made official.

Criticism of Luiz's ability among the back four is somewhat dated, however, with 2012-13 his finest yet in a Chelsea shirt.

Mourinho is a fine judge of talent, so would he really be willing to allow one of the Blues' best defenders to leave and join Barcelona of all clubs? We doubt it very much.

Bleacher Report's verdict: Something doesn't add up here. False.

Edinson Cavani to Bolster Chelsea's Striking Ranks

Make no mistake, Chelsea need another striker if they are to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League in 2013-14.

They already have Fernando Torres and Demba Ba to call upon, while Romelu Lukaku is expected to return from a fantastic season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion, where he bagged 17 Premier League goals. One more addition to their ranks will ensure they have the firepower to sustain a serious challenge on all fronts for silverware.

Will that man be Edinson Cavani?

Well, with confirmation of Radamel Falcao's imminent move to Ligue 1 new boys Monaco expected any day now, many thought it was the case in early May, with The Guardian reporting Chelsea's interest.

Since then, however, the Uruguayan's reported wage demands of £250,000 per week, coupled with his £50 million transfer fee have put the Blues off, according to the Daily Mail. Besides, if you ask the man himself, the Mirror reports he has his heart set on a switch to Spain.

Bleacher Report's verdict: The Blues may have been interested initially, but the whole deal now seems too much. False—this is one signing the Blues will not be making.

Stevan Jovetic to Swap Violet for Blue

With such a talented midfield already assembled, the rumors of Chelsea pursuing strikers are not going to disappear until they eventually sign one.

Hot on the heels of reported interest in Falcao and Edinson Cavani, Chelsea are now being linked with Fiorentina and Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic.

It would involve going head-to-head with Arsenal for his signature, as the Express reports, but the Blues certainly have the financial muscle to see off a challenge from the Gunners.

The 23-year-old fits the bill, too. Not only is he a talented player with a reputation for finding the back of the net, but he is young, up-and-coming and doesn't come with the baggage a marquee signing would bring.

Jovetic is very much a player who would appeal to Jose Mourinho—the man we're all expecting to pitch up at Stamford Bridge again this summer and take over as manager for a second time.

Bleacher Report's verdict: True. Arsenal may have to brace themselves for some disappointment.

Torres Set to Leave

Could Fernando Torres have played his final game for Chelsea? The Sun certainly thinks so, with the newspaper reporting the Blues are willing to cut their losses with the Spaniard.

Torres has other ideas, however, as he told Bleacher Report in an interview with us during Chelsea's postseason tour of America.

"This season I scored 23 goals and next season I want to score more," explained the Spaniard. "The team is going to be better next season, the Premier League is going to be better and so too the Champions League.

"I want to improve my goals and especially what I give the team. I can be better next season, I am sure about that."

They were hardly the words of a man expecting to leave Stamford Bridge, and after he broke the 20-goal barrier for the first time as a Chelsea player last term, he is showing the signs of returning to his best.

Read Bleacher Report's full interview with Torres here.

Bleacher Report's verdict: False. Torres will be Chelsea's No. 9 for 2013-14.

Sami Khedira Set to Arrive in the Premier League

Whenever Jose Mourinho leaves a club, the reports of players following him to his new destination are always rife.

This summer has already seen Luka Modric linked with a potential move to Chelsea, per the Mirror, if indeed Mourinho does return to Stamford Bridge.

Of all the rumors, however, Sami Khedira's potential transfer, per the Evening Standard, seems plausible and certainly one to be taken seriously.

Central midfield, behind the attacking trio of Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard, is an area where the Blues looked weak in 2012-13, and Khedira would provide an ideal solution to toughen them up in the middle of the park.

Mourinho builds his teams on a solid base, of which the German's attributes would only enhance.

Bleacher Report's verdict: True. Khedira would fill a gap exposed too often last term and Mourinho will make that a priority.