Chelsea news: Antonio Conte’s treatment of Diego Costa was ‘incredible’ - Phil Thompson

Costa has re-joined Atletico Madrid from Chelsea after being told by Conte he was no longer in his plans.

The Spanish striker will not be able to play for his new club until January as they are currently under a transfer embargo and the window is closed.

Conte initially told Costa he could leave at the beginning of the summer but it has taken until the last few days for the two clubs to agree a deal.

Thompson does not understand why Conte wrote Costa off so early, especially before signing a replacement.

“Every manager deserves the right to pick your own team, your own squad,” Thompson said on Sky Sports of the Chelsea boss.

“We’re not privy to what goes on in the dressing room, behind the scenes. 

“For a manager to do what Antonio Conte did I thought was quite incredible. 

“While he’s your player you should never write him off. 

“To tell him so early that ‘you’re finished and you should find yourself another club’ I just thought was very, very strange. 

“You never know what was going to happen and low and behold I think they thought they (Romelu) Lukaku absolutely nailed on. 

“That didn’t happen, then they were struggling. 

“In fairness they’ve got a hell of a result in (Alvaro) Morata.”

Diego Costa will be in the stands for Chelsea's trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League tonight (7.45pm).