João Félix’s late double rounds off Chelsea’s 5-0 thrashing of Morecambe

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.

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.

That said there was no shortage of desire from the underdogs on the pitch. Morecambe worked tirelessly to frustrate Chelsea and they were adventurous at times, even creating the first chance of the afternoon when the lively Ben Tollitt darted beyond Renato Veiga on the right and tested Filip Jörgensen’s reflexes by shooting from a tight angle.

Tosin Adarabioyo lets fly from distance to score his second and Chelsea’s third against Morecambe. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images

It soon became a test of Chelsea’s patience. They hoarded possession in the first half but struggled to move the ball with enough intensity. It was too pedestrian for Maresca’s liking and Chelsea took a while to regain their poise after Nkunku had an early penalty saved by Harry Burgoyne, who was fortunate that the officials did not spot he was at least a yard off his line when the kick was taken.

Was a shock in the offing? Burgoyne threatened to become the hero for a while. He produced another fine save to deny Félix, who operated a shoot-on-sight policy as he attempted to convince Maresca to start him more regularly, and Chelsea’s frustration grew the longer it stayed goalless.

There was not enough incision on the right from Pedro Neto, who was replaced by Jadon Sancho at half-time. Tyrique George, an 18-year-old winger, was also quiet on the opposite flank and Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson’s deputy, found it difficult up front. Nkunku and Félix, meanwhile, both struggled to show that they offer enough in general play to dislodge Palmer in the No 10 position.

There was better finishing from Tosin Adarabioyo. The centre-back broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, breaking Morecambe’s resistance when his long-range effort beat Burgoyne after deflecting off Callum Jones, and Tosin’s second goal was a peach: a lovely bending effort that floated through the air before flying into the top-right corner with 20 minutes to go.

Chelsea were two goals to the good at that stage, Nkunku sweeping in the rebound after Burgoyne pushed out a shot from Veiga. It was an alert piece of forward play, but will it move Maresca? Is Nkunku’s all-round game good enough to earn more minutes in the games that really matter?

The same questions are asked of Félix, even though he turned this into a rout with two excellent goals in the dying stages. Expect the regulars to return against Bournemouth.