While Enzo Maresca has rotated heavily for cup competitions so far this season, that pattern is likely to come to an end this weekend as the FA Cup returns.
Chelsea make the trip to Brighton tomorrow night in the fourth round, with them set for a far bigger test than the visit of Morecambe in the prior stage.
The Blues returned to the top four of the Premier League on Monday night with a comeback win against West Ham. The substitutions made by Maresca are seen as key to them picking up three points.
Christopher Nkunku likely to start in absence of Marc Guiu
One of the players brought on was Marc Guiu, and he left many thinking he would be in line for a start at the Amex tomorrow night.
However, it is expected that he will miss the game due to injury, with the same being of Nicolas Jackson after he limped off against West Ham.
It is therefore likely that Christopher Nkunku starts for Chelsea up front, just a week after he was tipped heavily to leave the club.
When given the chance to play regularly in the Conference League, the Frenchman has been amongst the goals and assists after starting in a variety of attacking roles.
| Christopher Nkunku Conference League stats | Total |
| Minutes | 385 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Shots | 16 |
| Chances Created | 5 |
However, despite Premier League opportunities slowly coming his way, Nkunku has just two goals and an assist in that competition.
Enzo Maresca’s big Nkunku struggle
He has done little to prove to Maresca that he should be considered for more minutes over the likes of Jackson. The boss admitted earlier this season he was struggling to find a role for the former RB Leipzig man.
He said: “Christo, every time he plays, he scores, and he does well.
“Also, he was probably our best player in pre-season, no doubt. He was playing then as an attacking midfielder and now we are using him as a nine, which we all know isn’t his position, he’s more a second striker or between the lines.
“But I try to find solution and balance with all of them but not all of them can be in their position, they have to adapt a bit. It’s for Joao, Christo, Misha, they are all players who deserve more chances in the Premier League, but there are also more players who deserve that.”
Nkunku’s future beyond this season is by no means secure, and he has reported to be frustrated at his lack of minutes this campaign.
However, the FA Cup tie offers a perfect opportunity to show why he was seen as the marquee signing of the new era a few years ago, and that he can make an impact in the second half of the season.
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