As resurgences go, few are as impressive as that of Ben Cabango's at Swansea City.
The defender made his mark under Steve Cooper but - as with others - took time to adjust to what was a drastic transformation under current head coach Russell Martin. Cabango played from the outset in his side's first three matches of last season before missing a pair of games after testing positive for Covid-19.
He then started just four of Swansea's next 12 games as Martin continued to tinker in an attempt to find his best defensive combination. However, after that testing period, Cabango played the full 90 minutes in all but one of his side's next 26 matches before being forced off through injury in the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth in April.
That ankle injury saw Cabango miss Wales' entire summer schedule, although he is now back in Rob Page's squad for the Nations League matches against Belgium and Poland this month. His place is more than merited, and a comparison of the 22-year-old's numbers from this season and last tell the story.
The marginal improvement in expected goals is also telling given the work Cabango has done with new set-piece coach Andy Parslow, as was demonstrated when the centre-back twice headed goalwards from corners in the loss to Sheffield United.
Martin regularly tweaked his defence last season as he looked to find the right blend of footballing ability and defensive nous while several men were added to the squad in the summer to further aid the process. Nathan Wood and Harry Darling were brought in from Middlesbrough and MK Dons respectively while Matty Sorinola and Fin Stevens have arrived on loan from Union SG and Brentford respectively.
But since returning from injury, Martin has favoured Cabango in defence, with £1.4m summer signing Darling's only appearance in Swansea's last four fixtures coming in the 1-1 draw at Stoke City when Cabango was suspended for his dismissal at Middlesbrough which, somewhat ironically, was the only blot on the defender's copybook at the Riverside Stadium.
Despite being only 22 years of age, Cabango already has 107 senior Swans appearances to his name in addition to four Wales caps. His return to Page's squad no doubt comes as a major boost with the World Cup little more than two months away.
"I try not to, but it's hard not to to be honest," he said last month when asked if he is dreaming about the Qatar tournament. "A World Cup is a massive thing, it's the stuff you think of and dream of when you're a kid.
"I'm just working hard now to play as much football as possible and at a high standard. Hopefully if I keep doing that, keep improving, I'll be on the plane there."
There were many doubts over whether or not Cabango would survive under Martin this time last year, but the Welshman responded to those concerns by grafting to ensure his place in the side can't be questioned at present.
READ NEXT:
