Kai Havertz is beginning to find consistency at the right time for Chelsea.
A big-money signing from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, it's safe to say the German wonderkid's debut season in English football has not gone smoothly with him struggling to hold down a regular place under both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel.
However, in recent weeks there have been signs that Havertz 's fortunes are changing - and it is benefitting Chelsea.
In arguably one of his best performances for the Blues, the attacking midfielder scored and assisted another in a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace last month - an important result in the top-four battle.
Such was the quality of Havertz's display that he was challenged to repeat it by the Chelsea head coach between now and the end of the season.
"He has quality, he needs to show it. Easy as that," Tuchel said after the win at Selhurst Park. "He will never be our emotional leader, we don’t expect him to be.
"But we expect him to show his quality. Honestly, he needed to show he can do better.
"So many decisive matches coming, he got another chance to show he can do better than he did against Porto.
"A good step and a good performance."
Since the challenge, Havertz started and failed to score against Porto - in the Champions League quarter-final second leg - and the goalless draw at home to Brighton.
But he answered the challenge on Saturday evening with a brace against Fulham to leave Chelsea on the brink of ensuring they'll be in European football's elite club competition next season.
The Blues have four games left in their season, which means they can achieve a maximum of 73 points by the end of the campaign if they beat Manchester City, Arsenal, Leicester City, and Aston Villa.
With that said, three wins could be enough as their superior goal difference means 70 points should be enough to seal yet another top-four finish.
