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Earlier this month, Chelsea striker Diego Costa revealed Chelsea boss Antonio Conte told him via a text message that he was no longer needed at Chelsea.

“I’m going to be honest, the other day, Conte sent me a message saying he does not count on me for next season, so I’ll have to find a way out,” Costa said.

Former Chelsea striker, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, feels Conte’s decision to sell Costa was made for the benefit of the team.

“We all know Costa is a smart individual and I think he has played this to his benefit,” Hasselbaink told ITV.

“I think there is more behind it than just a text. Conte is way too smart and way too experienced [for] it to be just that.

“I think he was always going to let Costa go. I think there has always been a bit of friction between them and I think Conte is thinking about the team and the bigger picture.”