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Were there a secret formula to the unity among the England Under-21s players as they secured their European title this summer, the Genoa defender might have let it slip: a social game called Werewolf. Introduced to the England first team setup during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it opposes a small informed group called the wolves against the unaware group known as the villagers as they aim to outwit each other to win, in a structure like the popular TV show The Traitors.

“Every night we played,” the defender explains. “It really helped us bond because you understand each other better. In modern times when mobile phones are everywhere, you sit down, you share jokes, you share moments … the team was very united, the collective was strong, and this was evident in games when we ultimately claimed victory.”

This reflects the life of a young player that Lee Carsley’s squad had only limited time to celebrate their thrilling win over Germany before they went their separate ways. In Norton-Cuffy’s case involved boarding a flight to Genoa – the club he joined in August 2024 after ten years with Arsenal – before embarking on a well-deserved holiday.

“The transition was very rapid, so I would say we perhaps missed fully celebrating it properly,” he says. “However, I don’t believe it was surprising for our team to emerge champions. We all felt like: ‘We deserved to win, and we are going to win the tournament,’ so after winning, it was like: ‘Alright, we succeeded, it’s an achievement, time for vacation, but now each player must excel with their clubs.’”

Italian League Influence

The defender has definitely carried that energy to Genoa’s season. Despite missing a significant part of his debut campaign owing to injuries, the 21-year-old from Southwark has become a regular under former Gunners star Patrick Vieira and says he is regularly recognised around the Italian city.

Genoa are Italy’s most historic team, created by a group of British immigrants in 1893, and the recent away kit that the defender assisted in launching features the St George’s Cross in a nod to their heritage.

“I feel like a lot of Italians have related to me in that way, as an English player, and because of how the club was founded,” he says. “Unexpectedly, it fits perfectly.”

Career Development

Norton-Cuffy is following in the footsteps of another flying full-back from south London in Djed Spence, who had a loan spell at Genoa from the North London club in 2024. The player chose to depart Arsenal after productive spells at Lincoln, Rotherham, Millwall and Coventry, turning down offers from two Premier League sides and German teams.

“I wanted to come here, perform and discover a alternative playing style, learn about Italian culture and put myself outside what I’d say is my comfort zone, because staying in England would have been simpler. However, I decided: ‘Let me try the challenge abroad. Time to understand Italian life. Italy’s top division is famous for tactical discipline, structure, style of play. So I said: ‘I should join and develop on my defensive side, but demonstrate my abilities offensively and introduce my personal approach to this league.’”

Training and Preparation

The defender is recognized for exhausting bursts down the wing and attributes his stamina to a carb‑loading regime that begins 72 hours prior a match. His dietary intake are supplied by the club but he acquired cooking skills at Arsenal – one of the skills emerging talents learn at the club’s training facility.

“They assisted my development as a person, via on-field work and off the pitch,” notes the player. “At Arsenal, you’re going there and developing continuously daily. When not training, culinary skills are taught. These skills have helped, absolutely. Coaches guaranteed psychological development was addressed, stuff like that. And then on the pitch, obviously it’s Arsenal Football Club: quality demands are supreme, so I believe it benefited me significantly.”

Manager Impact

The team has had a slow start, taking two points from five league games but playing under Vieira remains an ideal situation for Norton-Cuffy. He acknowledges the ex-international, who replaced Alberto Gilardino last November, for enhancing his tactical awareness: “His playing career was exceptional, currently he’s a top manager and he’s helped me a lot since he’s come in. The objective is to get as high as possible. First we need to hit the 40-point mark, I think it is, guarantee our status, and then plan ahead, but I think this group is capable of doing some very good things.”

National Team Goals

Immediately following England’s summer triumph, the coach already aimed for a three-peat for the under-21s in 2027. The defender, who featured in the youth team that won their European title in 2022, is likely to feature the England’s upcoming games against Moldova and Andorra during the international break and explains the manager has acted as a important guide in his journey.

“When facing obstacles last year, he would take the time to reach out, say: ‘Persevere, you recognize your talent,’ give you a little pep talk. His support is constant. While representing England’s youth, the message is repeated constantly: the aim isn’t youth team participation the target is the main squad. So it’s dependent on my contributions internationally and how well I do at my club. It’s for me to push myself forward and that’s on me.”