David Luiz could leave Chelsea in the January transfer window as the fall-out from his bust-up with Antonio Conte continues, Sunday People Chief Football Writer Steve Bates told Sunday Supplement.

Luiz and Conte were involved in an altercation following Chelsea's 3-0 defeat away at Roma in the Champions League in October, and the Brazilian hasn't featured in the league since with Andreas Christensen lining up in the centre of the team's defensive three while Luiz reportedly recovers from a knee injury.

"At his press conference on Friday he was at pains to point out that this knee injury is genuine," said Bates. "I had no reason to believe it's not.

"I think his problems at Stamford Bridge go deeper than just a knee injury. From the start of the season there's not been an easy relationship with Conte. He's a very demanding, highly-strung boss. Obviously, in the summer we saw David Luiz's big pal Diego Costa shipped out of the club as well."

Christensen has impressed alongside Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta in Luiz's absence as Chelsea have racked up six wins from eight Premier League games since their capitulation in Rome

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