João Félix’s late double rounds off Chelsea’s 5-0 thrashing of Morecambe
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The broad numbers suggest that Christopher Nkunku should be one of Chelsea’s regulars. The France striker 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 with a 5-0 win over Morecambe.
![[Tosin Adarabioyo scores Chelsea’s third against Morecambe]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/86e08569152edc50f28d01e0198acb05e279c09e/0_305_5582_3349/master/5582.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
However, while there are few better finishers in Maresca’s squad than Nkunku, the likelihood is that he will be on the bench when Bournemouth visit Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Tuesday. Ultimately the sense is that some goals mean more than others. What more can Nkunku do? The answer: show more than the ability to breach opponents sitting second bottom of League Two.
It is an odd situation. Nkunku, who continues to be linked with a transfer this month, has made three starts and scored twice in the league, and similar doubts surround João Félix. The Portugal forward also exists in Palmer’s shadow and did not seem particularly ecstatic after scoring twice here.
As for Noni Madueke, whose attitude has repeatedly been called into question by Maresca, he was not even deemed worthy of a place on the bench. Such is the juggling act for the manager as he continues to find ways to keep Chelsea’s B-listers happy. At least he could find satisfaction in being able to hand a fourth start of the season to Reece James, who was available after his latest hamstring injury.
The sight of Morecambe’s fans protesting against their ownership by releasing black balloons at kick-off was a reminder that they had bigger concerns than this tie. They have lived through transfer embargoes and points deductions in the 852 days since Jason Whittingham put the club up for sale and, with the prospect of Derek Adams’ side dropping into non-league an increasing likelihood, this was a chance for those in the away end to call for change in front of a wider audience.
