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Were there a hidden ingredient to the unity among the England Under-21s players as they secured their European title this summer, the Genoa defender might have disclosed it: a group game called Werewolf. Introduced to the national team environment during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it opposes a small informed group called the wolves against the unknowing villagers known as the villagers as they try to trick each other to win, in a format similar to the well-known series The Traitors.

“We were playing every night,” the defender explains. “It truly brought us together because you learn about teammates. In this day and age when everyone can be on their phones, you gather, you share jokes, you share moments … the group was really, really tight, the collective was strong, and this was evident in games when we ultimately claimed victory.”

This reflects the reality for emerging talents that the England U21 team had only brief period to celebrate their dramatic late victory over Germany before they headed to their clubs. In Norton-Cuffy’s case involved joining his Serie A club – his new side in August 2024 after ten years with Arsenal – before taking a well-deserved holiday.

“Everything happened very fast, so I would say we likely couldn’t fully appreciate it to the extent we deserved,” he says. “Yet I didn’t consider it was a shock for this group to go and win it. The squad thought: ‘Victory was ours to take, and we are going to win the tournament,’ so after winning, it was like: ‘Well, we accomplished it, we feel proud, break time, but now everyone’s got to go and rip up at their clubs.’”

Italian League Influence

Norton-Cuffy has certainly taken that form into the Italian league. Despite missing a considerable period of his initial year owing to injuries, the London-born defender has become a regular under former Gunners star Patrick Vieira and mentions being frequently acknowledged around the port city.

Genoa are Italy’s oldest club, created by a group of English settlers in 1893, and the recent away kit that Norton-Cuffy helped to promote features the cross of St George in a nod to their heritage.

“It seems numerous supporters seem to have connected with me in that way, due to my nationality, and because of how the club was founded,” he says. “Unexpectedly, it fits perfectly.”

Professional Growth

The defender is emulating the path of another attacking defender from south London in Djed Spence, who played temporarily at Genoa from Spurs in 2024. The player chose to depart Arsenal after successful loans at Lincoln, Rotherham, Millwall and Coventry, turning down offers from English top-flight clubs and clubs in Germany.

“I wanted to come here, play and experience a new style of football, experience a new culture and put myself outside what I consider my familiar environment, because staying in England would have been simpler. Yet I thought: ‘Time to test myself internationally. Let me learn a new culture. The Italian league is known for its defensive abilities, tactics, playing approach. So I said: ‘I should join and develop on my defensive side, but demonstrate my abilities going forward and introduce my personal approach to this league.’”

Fitness and Nutrition

He is famous for energy-sapping sprints down the right flank and puts his energy down to a carbohydrate-loading routine that begins 72 hours prior a match. Most of his nutrition are provided by Genoa but he developed culinary abilities at Arsenal – among the capabilities emerging talents learn at Arsenal’s youth system.

“They assisted my development toward adulthood, through football training and off the pitch,” says Norton-Cuffy. “In North London, youth develop and developing continuously every day. If you’re not learning about football, you’re learning about how to cook. These skills have helped, 100%. They always made sure psychological development was addressed, stuff like that. And then on the pitch, naturally, it’s a top club: expectations are maximum, so I feel like it has helped me out a lot.”

Manager Impact

The team has had a difficult beginning, taking two points from five league games but being coached by Vieira remains a dream come true for Norton-Cuffy. He acknowledges the former France midfielder, who succeeded the previous manager last November, for enhancing his tactical awareness: “As a footballer, he excelled, currently he’s a top manager and he’s assisted my development since his arrival. The objective is to achieve maximum success. Initially, we must reach safety, I think it is, guarantee our status, and then plan ahead, but the team has potential of doing some very good things.”

International Ambitions

Within minutes of England’s championship success, the coach already aimed for a third consecutive title for England’s youth in 2027. Norton‑Cuffy, part of the under‑19s squad that claimed their championship in 2022, is likely to feature the England’s upcoming games against Moldova and Andorra during the international break and says Carsley has also been a major influence on his career.

“When facing obstacles last year, he made time to reach out, advise: ‘Persevere, you recognize your talent,’ give you a little pep talk. His support is constant. When you’re playing for the under-21s, the message is repeated constantly: success means graduating the goal is to be in England’s first team. Thus, it hinges on my contributions internationally and my club form. It’s for me to push myself ahead and that’s my responsibility.”