Conte told Costa that the striker was no longer in his plans after their relationship soured

Chelsea will attempt to withhold a portion of the £9 million owed to Antonio Conte in severance pay on the grounds that his infamous text message to Diego Costa 12 months ago, adversely affected his transfer value and cost the club millions of pounds.

The Times revealed yesterday that Conte is taking legal action against his former club after being sacked last week. The Italian is claiming that the delay in resolving his future cost him the chance to take lucrative jobs elsewhere this summer, while Chelsea have yet to sign off the severance package that has formed a standard part of their managerial contracts for several years.

Chelsea will argue through their legal team that Conte’s actions in telling Costa that he was not