Anthony Gordon proved the doubters wrong with his performances up front for England under-21s, and it will offer Eddie Howe and Newcastle United an extra dimension this season.
Gordon joined Newcastle during the January transfer window from Everton and has largely been used of the left-wing for the Magpies.
Injuries and the form of team-mates Miguel Almiron, Jacob Murphy and Allan Saint-Maximin saw his opportunities limited but a goal in the final day draw at Chelsea felt like a turning point for the 22-year-old.
Gordon vowed to come back this summer as strong and as fit as ever and referenced this summer's under-21 European Championships as an opportunity to assert himself as a key player for Newcastle going forward.
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And he more than delivered on that vow, scoring twice and registering one assist to help the Young Lions to be crowned European Champions. Gordon was also named Player of the Tournament, an achievement all the more impressive when you consider he was playing in a new position.
Gordon led the line expertly, proving the doubters wrong, and he will now offer Howe another alternative up front to Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, as well as on the wing.
And Gordon has been praised by former England under-21 international Nedum Onuoha for his ability to adapt 'exceptionally well' during the finals in Georgia.
"I think the fact they were able to rotate their team to a point where Harvey Elliott, a Liverpool player, is on the bench or other big name players," Onuoha told BBC Radio 5Live when asked for his standout England player from the tournament.
"Curtis Jones played as more of a deep lying midfielder because he is really good on the ball and it was really impressive. Garner playing right-back, the two centre-backs were great - I could name every single one of them if I am honest but that is just a really embarrassing thing to do.
"But what I remember when I first saw the team at the start of the tournament with Anthony Gordon up front, and thinking this is clearly not going to work.
"But it worked exceptionally well and I think it goes to show their understanding of the tactics that the coach wanted them to have, and the ability to go out there and put that plan forward."
