Just one goal in his opening ten English top division appearances this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past.
However, a just four weeks on, he is the hottest striker in England following bagging seven goals in 6 straight games.
His newest finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, took his tally to eight, establishing him as the top English scorer in the Premier League this campaign.
The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its latter stages.
However, the statistics underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely impressive.
His six-game scoring run sees him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches.
To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his top is two individual five-match streaks.
And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019.
Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager summed it up aptly.
"He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment."
That instinct and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a popular figure at his former team.
Analysts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker additional space.
"He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal."
"I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now."
His manager has expressed complete confidence at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league.
Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally fueled conversations of an England return.
The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the last European Championship.
Pundits believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form.
"He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place."
But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce.
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive brace against Chelsea, is right now regarded as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some opinion.
"If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was noted.
"He also holds the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition."
Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select.
"I think it might depend on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
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