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If there was a secret formula to the togetherness among the England Under-21s players as they defended their European title this summer, the Genoa defender might have let it slip: a social game called Werewolf. Brought into the national team environment during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it matches a small aware team called the wolves against the uninformed majority known as the villagers as they aim to outwit each other to win, in a setup resembling the popular TV show The Traitors.

“We played each evening,” the defender explains. “It truly brought us together because you learn about teammates. Today when mobile phones are everywhere, you gather, you share jokes, you have a joke … the group was really, really tight, everyone was together, and it showed during matches when we succeeded in winning the tournament.”

Such is the reality for emerging talents that Lee Carsley’s squad had only a few hours to celebrate their thrilling win over Germany before they went their separate ways. For Norton-Cuffy involved traveling to Italy – his new side in August 2024 after his youth at Arsenal – before heading off on a well-deserved holiday.

“The transition was very rapid, so I think we likely couldn’t fully appreciate it as much as we should have,” he says. “But I don’t feel like it was a shock for this group to claim victory. The squad thought: ‘Victory was ours to take, and we are going to win the tournament,’ so after winning, it was like: ‘OK, we’ve done it, we feel proud, break time, but now each player must excel with their clubs.’”

Serie A Impact

Norton-Cuffy has certainly taken that form into the Italian league. Having missed a large portion of his initial year owing to injuries, the 21-year-old from Southwark has established himself under the Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and notes he’s often spotted around Genoa.

The club is Italy’s most historic team, established by a group of English settlers in 1893, and the latest alternate jersey that Norton-Cuffy helped to promote features the cross of St George in a nod to their heritage.

“It seems numerous supporters have identified with me in that way, as an English player, and given the club’s origins,” he says. “Unexpectedly, it fits perfectly.”

Career Development

He is tracing the footsteps of another flying full-back from the capital in Djed Spence, who played temporarily at Genoa from Spurs in 2024. He opted to exit Arsenal after productive spells at Lincoln, Rotherham, Millwall and Coventry, rejecting proposals from two Premier League sides and clubs in Germany.

“I desired to join, play and experience a different football approach, experience a new culture and place myself beyond what I’d say is my comfort zone, because staying in England would have been simpler. But I said: ‘Let me try the challenge abroad. Let me learn a new culture. Italy’s top division is known for its defensive abilities, structure, style of play. So I said: ‘Let me come and improve on my defensive side, but demonstrate my abilities offensively and bring my own style to this league.’”

Professional Routine

Norton-Cuffy is known for exhausting bursts down the right flank and credits his fitness to a carb‑loading regime that starts three days before a match. Many of his meals are arranged by the team but he developed culinary abilities at Arsenal – one of the skills developing footballers receive at Arsenal’s youth system.

“They assisted my development toward adulthood, through football training and through life skills,” notes the player. “At Arsenal, you’re going there and you’re learning to be better daily. If you’re not learning about football, cooking lessons occur. It’s come in handy, 100%. Coaches guaranteed you were doing your psychology work, stuff like that. And then on the pitch, obviously it’s Arsenal Football Club: expectations are maximum, so I feel like it has helped me significantly.”

Manager Impact

The team has had a slow start, taking two points from five league games but being coached by Vieira remains an ideal situation for Norton-Cuffy. He acknowledges the former France midfielder, who took over from Gilardino last November, for enhancing his tactical awareness: “As a footballer, he excelled, he’s a great manager now and he’s helped me a lot since his arrival. The aim remains to climb the table. First we need to reach safety, I think it is, make sure we’re safe, and then plan ahead, but I think this group is capable of doing some very good things.”

National Team Goals

Shortly after England’s summer triumph, Carsley was targeting a third consecutive title for England’s youth in 2027. The defender, who featured in the junior selection that won their European title in 2022, is anticipated to play in the England’s upcoming games against Moldova and Andorra this month and says Carsley has also been a important guide in his journey.

“When facing obstacles last year, he found moments to give me a call, say: ‘Persevere, you understand your ability,’ give you a little pep talk. He’s consistently available. While representing England’s youth, they stress it in every single camp: success means graduating the objective is senior national team. So it’s dependent on my contributions internationally and my club form. The responsibility is mine ahead and that’s my challenge.”