A solitary goal in his opening ten Premier League outings this campaign had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over.
However, a only four weeks on, he has become the most talked-about forward in England following bagging seven goals in six consecutive games.
His most recent strike, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the top English scorer in the Premier League this term.
The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was marred by injuries in its latter stages.
Yet, the data supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely impressive.
His six-game scoring streak puts him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures.
To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his top is two individual five-match runs.
And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019.
What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager summed it up perfectly.
"He has the ideal timing," the manager stated. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time."
That nose for goal and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a beloved player at his former team.
Pundits note the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker additional space.
"He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."
"I've been through a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now."
His manager has voiced complete confidence at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league.
Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally ignited talks of an England recall.
The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, netting four goals, but has not played for the country since the last European Championship.
Pundits believe the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level.
"He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place."
However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense.
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double versus Chelsea, is currently seen as in front in the hierarchy, according to some analysis.
"If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted.
"He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament."
In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to take.
"I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
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