The broad numbers suggest Christopher Nkunku should be a fixture in Chelsea’s best team. The France forward has 13 goals in all competitions this season, a tally equalled only by Cole Palmer, and he was on the scoresheet again as Enzo Maresca’s second string cruised into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
However, while there are few sharper finishers in the squad than Nkunku, the likelihood is that he will be on the bench when Bournemouth visit in the Premier League on Tuesday. Ultimately, the sense is that some goals mean more than others. What more can Nkunku do? Answer: offer more than penetration against feeble defences in the Europa Conference League and, in his latest outing, convert an easy chance at 1-0 up against opponents sitting second from bottom in League Two.
It is an odd situation, not least because this is clearly a gifted player. The issue is whether Nkunku, who continues to be linked with a move away this month, fits into Chelsea’s attack. He tends to score when he starts; the problem is he tends to start and score against teams like FC Noah and Morecambe.
Maresca’s trust remains unearned – Nkunku has two goals and three starts in the league – and it is a similar story with João Félix. The Portugal forward, who once cost Atlético Madrid £113m, is another forced to live in Palmer’s shadow. He did not seem particularly ecstatic after scoring twice from long range here.
Such is the challenge for Maresca, who put Noni Madueke’s absence down to illness, as he tries to keep Chelsea’s B-listers happy. “They didn’t ask [me] anything,” the head coach said of Nkunku and Félix. “But they don’t need to ask. Two games ago against Ipswich we started with João and Christo. Previously, we started some games with them. They got a chance already in the Premier League. It doesn’t mean in the Premier League they have to score or assist.”
Chelsea’s first win in five games had positives. Tyrique George, the 18-year-old winger, registered two assists. Reece James, making his fourth start of the season, and Roméo Lavia made it through the first half after returning from injury.
“Especially for Reece, we have to be careful,” Maresca said. “The good thing is they both played 45 minutes and finished well.”
Morecambe, who had chances in the second half, gave a good account of themselves on and off the pitch. The sight of their fans releasing black balloons at kick-off was a reminder of bigger concerns.
They have lived through transfer embargoes and points deductions in the 853 days since Jason Whittingham put the club up for sale. In danger of dropping into non-league, this was a chance to call for change in front of a wider audience. The underdogs still enjoyed their day out. They showed adventure, creating the first chance when the lively Ben Tollitt tested Filip Jörgensen after darting behind Renato Veiga, and there was early discomfort for Chelsea.
They took a while to regain their poise after Nkunku had an early penalty saved by Harry Burgoyne, who was fortunate the officials did not spot he was off his line when the kick was taken.
Pedro Neto, replaced by Jadon Sancho at half-time, lacked incision on the right. Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson’s deputy up front, did not look like scoring. Nkunku and Félix drifted at times, the latter flickering in the pockets but often flattering to deceive.
It took a centre-back to break the deadlock in the 39th minute, Morecambe’s luck running out when Tosin Adarabioyo let fly from long range and saw his shot beat Burgoyne thanks to a deflection off Callum Jones. Adarabioyo later made it 3-0 with a cleaner strike, bending in a peach from 25 yards.
Chelsea had made it 2-0 when Nkunku swept home after Burgoyne pushed out a shot from Veiga. Alert forward play, but enough to move Maresca? The doubt is whether Nkunku’s all-round game is good enough.
The same questions are asked of Félix, even though he twice beat Burgoyne from long range during the dying stages. Expect the regulars to return against Bournemouth.
