Chelsea ace David Luiz ‘thinks he is being punished by Antonio Conte for sticking up for Diego Costa’

is reporting that Luiz fears boss Antonio Conte is punishing him because of his close ties with former team-mate Diego Costa.

Luiz acted as the peacemaker numerous times last season in a bid to heal the rift between Costa and Conte - but it all proved in vain as the striker was sold back to Atletico Madrid.

SunSport reported how Luiz was made to be one of the ball boys in an 11 v 11 training match in the build-up to Chelsea's victory over Manchester United.

The humiliating experience, as reported by The Telegraph, followed ticking offs by boss Antonio Conte following poor displays in two Champions League games with Roma.

Six goals were shipped in those matches and Luiz paid the price in being replaced by Andreas Chistensen on Sunday.

SunSport revealed how the Brazilian was to pay a heavy price for his indifferent form and how tensions were mounting between himself and Conte.

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And Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has warned Conte he could ultimately lose his job for dropping the Brazilian.

As it was Luiz sat in the stands behind Conte and alongside Kenedy, also left out in the cold after apparently yawning through Conte's storming inquest after the 3-0 midweek loss at Roma.

It is reported that Conte questioned Luiz, along with other members of the squad.

He is said to have warned them that whoever could not follow his orders would simply not play for him.

Conte was already unhappy with Luiz’s reaction to being substituted in the 3-3 home draw with Roma and gave him a training ground ticking off a few days later.

Then when Luiz was left out of Conte’s final training session ahead of the United game he was made one of the ball boys for the training game.