This time last year, Rico Lewis was still an under-18s player for Manchester City, with only three under-23 appearances to his name.
Now, he's arguably City's first-choice right-back ahead of Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo - who have 114 international caps and 21 major trophies between them - and is said to be close to earning a new contract at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola has praised and challenged Lewis in equal measure, yet his position in the squad has accelerated since the World Cup. When Arsenal visit in the FA Cup on Friday, he could well be dropped in order to give Walker or Cancelo some much-needed game-time.
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In a season where each game seems to cement how highly Guardiola thinks of Lewis, the cup could provide another reminder. Lewis started both City wins this week after their back-to-back defeats this week, while Walker and Cancelo were unused substitutes in both.
Cancelo hasn't started a Premier League game at right-back all season, and although four starts there have come in the various cups, he has completed 90 minutes at right-back just twice. Since Walker was injured in the derby in October, he has one league start at right-back and one in the cup. In their place, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Lewis have deputised - and it was striking that Akanji replaced Lewis at half-time against Wolves, rather than the two natural right-backs on the bench.
Maybe both will get a chance to kick-start their seasons against Arsenal, giving Lewis a rest that Guardiola has hinted he needs. With Cancelo also out of favour on the left - to the brilliant Nathan Ake and versatile Aymeric Laporte - it's not unfair to say both appear to be third choice in their positions at present.
However these are two seasoned internationals who have played crucial roles in City's recent successes. They will be back, and better for the competition given to them by players they thought they were ahead of.
When it comes to City planning their future squad, though, the emergence of Lewis could clarify some thinking, especially when it comes to Walker.
With just 18 months left on his contract, Walker will be 33 at the end of this season and will have just turned 34 when his current deal expires. City don't like letting contracts run down, but are more aware of the need to assess all options when a player reaches their thirties.
Cancelo is tied down until 2027, and tying down local lad Lewis shouldn't be a problem. Although Cancelo has been used on the left in the absence of a specialist left-back, his long-term position should be Walker's successor. With Lewis coming through and Akanji also adept on the right, maybe there is more protection than first thought in that position should Walker get any more injuries.
That protection could help City make a rational decision when it comes to deciding whether to keep Walker past 2024 - a decision that will have to be considered in the present and upcoming transfer windows. It should also allow them to put more focus on signing a proper left-back, knowing that there is a clear succession plan at right-back for the next four years at least.
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