Tottenham fans are starting to see the very best of Tanguy Ndombele this season following a difficult first year in N17.
Signed in a club-record move from Lyon in July 2019, the powerful midfielder was in and out of the team due to fitness issues and a number of niggling injuries.
Amid speculation that he may depart Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after only one season due to his relationship with Jose Mourinho, the French international instead remained in north London and now the Lilywhites are benefiting from his fine form.
The 24-year-old was very impressive in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Wolves as he opened the scoring inside the opening minute with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Lining up in a free role just behind Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in attack, the player had a big influence on proceedings with two excellent pieces of play in the first half to create chances for Sergio Reguilon.
Now looking more like the player who came to the attention of a number of Europe's biggest sides during his spell at Lyon, Ndombele's upturn in form so far in the 2020/21 season has gone down very well with his boss.
"We are happy, apart from a couple of matches where his performances were not good, overall there was a big evolution," explained Mourinho.
"I believe, to play at this intensity – Premier League intensity - and to last for 90 minutes is of course another step in the direction of his fitness.
"But he's a player of course who is playing very well and is giving some good things to the team."
Given his display against Wolves as he caused a number of problems for the hosts with his runs from midfield, Spurs fans had plenty to say about his substitution for Moussa Sissoko in the 70th minute.
Lasting the full 90 minutes was a problem for the player last term and so far this season he has only done that on two occasions from his 20 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham.
"There are players that naturally they have different qualities than others," added the 57-year-old when asked what the Frenchman needs to do to become a 90-minute player.
"Some players are very physical, some are very intense. Others are more explosive but they don't last for 90 minutes. Or they have difficulties lasting 90 minutes.
"In his case, he's adapting to a league that is not new, new, new for him but let's forget last season where he didn't play much and he had lots of injuries.
"And this season I believe to play at this intensity and to give the team what it needs with and without the ball, it's not easy for him to last 90 minutes."
While Ndombele has done all he can to be named in the starting XI on Wednesday evening against Fulham, one player who is set to miss out again is Gareth Bale.
The Welshman started in last week's Carabao Cup quarter-final tie away at Stoke City but was substituted at the break through injury.
Not named in the squad for the draw at Wolves at the weekend, Mourinho has explained that Bale is likely to be out for "a few weeks" but he doesn't believe the issue is "serious" for the loanee, with Lucas Moura and Carlos Vinicius also doubts for the encounter.
"No I don't expect him to be fit and also I have my doubts that Lucas and Vinicius can be fit for Fulham," revealed the head coach.
On Bale, Mourinho added: "I wouldn't say it's serious but I'd say a few weeks."
Fulham go into Wednesday's game sitting in the Premier League drop zone but results have improved for Scott Parker's men in recent weeks.
Drawing against high-flying Liverpool and Southampton this month, Mourinho is well aware that his side will be in for a tough encounter despite the visitor's lowly position.
"It's always tough. Independent of results, it's always tough and of course Fulham now, they're playing in a different way, they forgot some of the principles they believed in," admitted Mourinho.
"They have new principles of play, they are getting very positive results and it's going of course to be difficult."
