Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says manager Antonio Conte has done the right thing is getting rid of striker Diego Costa.
The Italian manager has made it clear that the Spaniard will not feature again for the Blues.
And the Dutchman believes this is the right time for the 28-year-old to leave Stamford Bridge.
"I think, we all know that Costa is a smart individual. And I think he has played this to his benefit," he told ITV.
"I think there is more behind it than just a text. Conte is way too smart, way too experienced to this situation, to be just that.
"I think he was always going to make the decision for letting Costa go.
"I think there's always been a little bit of friction between them. And I think Conte is thinking about the team and the bigger picture.
"How many years has he been at Chelsea now? Three years. I think for that kind of player, that kind of energy that he takes from a manager, it's just enough that time spell."
