Franck Lebouef has claimed that Chelsea manager Antonio Conte would be making the right decision to sell Diego Costa - if the Spaniard was upsetting the dressing room.

Costa revealed recently that Conte had told him via text message that he was no longer in the Italian's plans.

The pair have had a fractured relationship dating back to January when Conte vetoed Costa's move to Chelsea.

And despite scoring 20 goals for the league champions last season, Lebouef reckons it's better to cut ties for the sake of team morale.

"I don't know if it's a mistake (to let him go), I'm not in the dressing room," Leboeuf told ESPN.

"We heard some noises, sounds, saying Antonio Conte and Costa had a fight in the dressing room when Costa wanted to leave Chelsea for China.

"I don't know what's going on and if it's for the best of the club I think it's better to get rid of him and make sure the dressing room is okay and everybody works the same way for the same goal."