Calling True or False on 3 Recent Chelsea Transfer Rumours
The transfer window may be closed until January, but where Chelsea are concerned, the club is never too far away from a headline about a potential new signing.
With Jose Mourinho's men struggling in the bottom half of the Premier League table, it makes rumours of new recruits even more newsworthy.
Does Mourinho need to add reinforcements to save Chelsea's season? Which players will he be moving out to freshen things up?
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They're questions often asked and, given the current state of things, are perhaps more legitimate than they have ever been.
Sifting through the headlines, though, which rumours can be taken seriously?
Join Bleacher Report as we play a game of transfer true or false.
Chelsea to Reignite John Stones Interest in January
Just when the furore had calmed down, John Stones and Chelsea started making headlines once more.
To recap, the Blues' pursuit of the Everton defender was the transfer saga of the summer, running on and on, right through to deadline day.
Everton rebuffed a succession of bids for Stones, who eventually handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force through the move.
It didn't happen, with Stones remaining at Goodison Park.
Now that we're well into the season and Chelsea's poor form has continued—especially defensively—the rumours of Chelsea's interest are back.
The Mirror recently reported (via the Independent) that the Chelsea board are willing to back Jose Mourinho with a pursuit of the player in the new year in order to strengthen his side where it is lacking.
John Terry has struggled to reach the same impressive levels he did last season, while Branislav Ivanovic is another high-profile defender who has endured a tough start to 2015/16.
Not only that, but Chelsea need to be looking ahead to next summer when Terry and Ivanovic may well leave the club.
Both are in the final year of their respective contracts, and if they're not renewed, their consequent departures will leave a significant hole in the Chelsea squad.
One thing's certain, and that's Mourinho will want to avoid another summer like the one just gone, when Chelsea's failure to strengthen saw their rivals pick up lost ground.
In 2014, he did it with the signing of Nemanja Matic, so it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if Mourinho again went all out to strengthen in January.
Verdict: True
Jose Mourinho Scouts Andriy Yarmolenko
Even with the focus on international players and managers this past fortnight, Jose Mourinho has found a way to make himself the centre of attention.
The Chelsea boss made headlines when he was spotted watching Ukraine versus Spain in Kiev on Monday.
His reason for being there has been put down to a reported scouting mission on winger Andriy Yarmolenko.
According to the MailOnline, club owner Roman Abramovich is keen on the player—as is Mourinho.
It seems odd Mourinho would choose an international fixture to scout Yarmoloneko with a view to signing him, though.
Chelsea soon travel to Ukraine to face Yarmolenko's Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League—a game when Mourinho will get the chance to see the winger up close and personal.
Given the 25-year-old will be available on a free transfer next summer, it would be folly to suggest any of Europe's leading clubs wouldn't be interested in signing him given the extra value he'd offer for such a small fee.
But did Mourinho travel to Kiev solely to watch him? It's doubtful, especially in light of Chelsea's impending trip to Kiev.
There's more chance Mourinho was in Ukraine to scout much more than a potential signing that will be made way in the future, especially when there were four other Dynamo players in the Ukraine lineup against Spain.
Verdict: False
Anthony Martial Rejected Chelsea in Favour of Manchester United
He's been the sensation of the season thus far, with Anthony Martial's goals helping Manchester United top the Premier League table.
Within a month, the French ace has gone from transfer punchline to genius, such has been his impact at Old Trafford.
Not many fans knew much about him when he signed for £36 million from Monaco, with the general reaction being one of surprise given the significant fee Louis van Gaal paid for him.
If the fans didn't know much, it seemed Jose Mourinho and his Chelsea staff did, though.
According to French football show Enquetes De Foot (h/t the MailOnline), Chelsea tabled an even bigger bid than United's for Martial, but he turned down the offer to join the Premier League champions in favour of moving to Old Trafford.
Given Chelsea's recent record for bringing through young talent, you wouldn't be surprised if an up-and-coming star decided against a move to Stamford Bridge.
Throw in the fact Martial would be competing for a starting place with Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao, it makes even more sense.
At United, Martial has a better chance of playing first-team football, which has proved to be true in the early weeks of his Premier League career.
Verdict: True
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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