Only one goal in his opening ten Premier League outings this campaign had numerous wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past.
But, a only four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about attacker in England following netting 7 goals in 6 straight games.
His most recent strike, in a tie against Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season.
The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages.
Yet, the numbers supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are genuinely remarkable.
His six-match scoring sequence sees him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches.
To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his top remains two distinct five-match runs.
And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019.
Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager summed it up succinctly.
"He has the ideal timing," the manager stated. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed."
That nose for goal and positional sense inside the box was what made him a popular figure at his previous club.
Experts highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker additional space.
"He is a traditional centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."
"I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result."
His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the league.
Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally sparked conversations of an England return.
The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, with four goals, but has not represented the national team since the previous European Championship.
Analysts believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard.
"He looks as fit as he has in a while," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place."
However, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce.
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is right now considered to be ahead in the selection race, according to some analysis.
"If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated.
"He also has the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition."
Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the head coach decides to select.
"I think it might hinge on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Elena Vance is a seasoned business strategist and innovation consultant with over 15 years of experience in tech startups and corporate transformation.
Joshua Simpson
Joshua Simpson
Joshua Simpson
Joshua Simpson
Joshua Simpson