Just one goal in his opening ten Premier League outings this campaign had numerous wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past.
But, a just four weeks afterwards, he is the hottest striker in England following netting 7 goals in six consecutive games.
His newest finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign.
The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was marred by setbacks in its final stages.
However, the data behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable.
His six-game scoring sequence sees him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings.
To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his longest is two individual five-match streaks.
And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019.
What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager summed it up aptly.
"He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed."
That instinct and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club.
Pundits highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker a little more space.
"He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."
"I've been through a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now."
His manager has voiced little astonishment at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division.
Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably sparked conversations of an England call-up.
The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not played for the country since the previous European Championship.
Observers feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form.
"He looks as fit as he has in a while," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place."
However, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce.
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is presently considered to be ahead in the hierarchy, according to some analysis.
"If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated.
"He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition."
Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to include.
"I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
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