From fearing for his future to being made one of his club's top earners in the space of three months, Tyrone Mings has proved he should never be underestimated.
The Aston Villa centre-back has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal that pushes him close to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez at the top of the club's pay scale, after convincing manager Unai Emery early on that he could play a significant role in his long-term plans.
Mings is a self-assured man yet the endorsement of a proven coach like Emery was exactly the boost he needed.