Antonio Conte isn’t scared to make big decisions about his big players.

That much could be seen in the summer.

The Italian boss text Diego Costa saying he was no longer needed at Stamford Bridge and that he should find a new club.

Costa - who had just scored 20 league goals for the Blues leading them to the Premier League title - subsequently joined Atletico Madrid despite not being able to play until January.

And it seems Conte is ready to do battle with another one of his big players - David Luiz.

Luiz was left out of Chelsea’s clash against Manchester United despite not being injured.

Ahead of the game, the Chelsea boss explained that his decision was merely tactical - despite having 17-year-old Ethan Ampadu on the bench in his place.

Conte on dropping Luiz

"No, no. Tactical decision," Conte explained when asked if Luiz had been dropped.

"There is Christensen in really good form and also we have [Ethan] Ampadu who is a good young player. The club like to play with the young player."

And then, after the game, Conte was asked if the Brazilian had a future at the club.

"I don't know [if he has a future at Chelsea]," said Conte. "He has to work really hard with the others, otherwise they are on the bench or in the stand".

So, what happened between Luiz and Conte?

What Conte did to Luiz in training

Well, the Telegraph have produced a very interesting report about how they clashed after the former Paris Saint-Germain star challenged his authority.

Luiz had also reacted furiously to being substituted during Chelsea’s home match against Roma in the Champions League.

And Conte punished him in training ahead of the United match.

The Telegraph are saying that he was excluded from the 11 v 11 training match last week and made him act as a ballboy.

“Players were surprised that Luiz was left out of an 11 v 11 training game ahead of the visit of Manchester United and was effectively made a ball boy as he and Charly Musonda were left to kick a ball about on the sidelines.”

Wow.

We can only imagine what Luiz thought about that…

Will he still be a Chelsea player come the end of the winter transfer window in January?

Judging by this report, we won’t be surprised if he isn’t.