Only one goal in his initial ten Premier League outings this campaign had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past.
However, a just four weeks afterwards, he stands as the most talked-about attacker in England after scoring 7 goals in six straight games.
His latest strike, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term.
The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its closing stages.
However, the data behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely notable.
His six-game scoring streak puts him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches.
To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run lasting this many games - his best stands at two distinct five-match runs.
And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019.
What is behind Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager described it aptly.
"He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's clever 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 box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club.
Pundits highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker additional space.
"He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat 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 lows. A challenge of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result."
His manager has shown complete confidence at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition.
Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited conversations of an England recall.
The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the last European Championship.
Pundits feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard.
"He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place."
Yet, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce.
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive two goals versus Chelsea, is right now considered to be leading in the hierarchy, according to some opinion.
"If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was noted.
"He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals."
In the end, 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 hinge on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
Marlon Vance is a seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets, specializing in data-driven predictions and strategy development.
