Two penalties; one red card: Reported Newcastle and West Ham target has nightmare night

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Dalbert can certainly afford to feel a little sorry for himself today.

After all, the nature of his 41st minute red card in Rennes’ 3-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea will not have been easy to swallow. Not least because the second of two yellows, and the penalty that followed it, were nothing short of an abomination.

What else could the former Inter Milan defender have done? The ball was hammered directly at him from point blank range, rebounding from Dalbert’s knee and onto his arm at the speed of sound.

Yet, after a lengthy VAR review, Dalbert was heading for the tunnel as Timo Werner stepped up to slam home his second penalty of the night.

“Unless the rule has changed and we weren’t aware I don’t know why he decided to give handball for this,” furious Rennes coach Julian Stephan told Goal.

“When you give a second yellow for this kind of thing it kills the game.

Though while the left-back’s sending off was bordering on a farce (or ‘VARce’ if you will) no one could possibly debate his first yellow card just ten minutes in at Stamford Bridge.

It’s never a great idea to fly into a challenge on Timo Werner, especially when he is driving at you inside the penalty area.

The German was sent sprawling and Dalbert’s nightmare evening was underway.

According to FCInterNews, both Newcastle United and West Ham made enquiries about the availability of an £18 million man who had tumbled well down the pecking order under Antonio Conte at Inter.

The opportunity to represent one of the most historic and best-supported clubs in England would surely have carried some appeal.

But once Rennes came calling, Dalbert’s mind was made up. After all, the Bretons could offer something those in Britain could not – Champions League football.

“There have been many offers, from the Premier to the top clubs of prestigious tournaments,” his agent told FCInterNews.

“Rennes satisfies everyone: an excellent project, rosy prospects – we are talking about a club that will play in the Champions League.”

But with the injustice of Wednesday night still ringing in Dalbert’s ears, the romance of Europe’s premiere club competition might have spoiled somewhat.