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Were there a hidden ingredient to the cohesion among the England Under-21s players as they defended their European title this summer, the Genoa defender might have let it slip: a group game called Werewolf. Introduced to the senior England camp during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, it matches a small aware team called the wolves against the unaware group known as the villagers as they attempt to deceive each other to win, in a setup resembling the popular TV show The Traitors.

“Every night we played,” the defender explains. “It truly brought us together because you learn about teammates. In this day and age when people are often on devices, you sit down, you share jokes, you share moments … the team was very united, everyone was together, and you saw that on the pitch when we ultimately claimed victory.”

Such is the life of a young player that the England U21 team had only brief period to celebrate their thrilling win over Germany before they dispersed. In Norton-Cuffy’s case involved traveling to Italy – the team he signed for in August 2024 after ten years with Arsenal – before embarking on a much-needed break.

“It was a quick, quick turnaround, so I would say we probably didn’t get to enjoy it to the extent we deserved,” he says. “Yet I didn’t consider it was a shock for this group to claim victory. Everyone believed: ‘We should win the tournament, and we are going to win the tournament,’ so after winning, it was like: ‘OK, we’ve done it, it’s an achievement, break time, but now everyone’s got to go and rip up at their clubs.’”

Serie A Impact

The defender has definitely carried that form into the Italian league. Despite missing a significant part of his first season owing to injuries, the 21-year-old from Southwark has established himself under the Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and mentions being frequently acknowledged around the Italian city.

The club is Italy’s most historic team, created by a group of English expatriates in 1893, and the recent away kit that he participated in marketing features the cross of St George in a nod to their heritage.

“I feel like many local fans have related to me in that way, due to my nationality, and considering the team’s foundation,” he says. “It has surprisingly worked out well.”

Professional Growth

He is tracing the path of another attacking defender from south London in Djed Spence, who had a loan spell at Genoa from the North London club in 2024. He opted to exit Arsenal after valuable experiences at Lincoln, Rotherham, Millwall and Coventry, turning down offers from English top-flight clubs and clubs in Germany.

“My aim was to move, perform and discover a different football approach, learn about Italian culture and place myself beyond what I consider my familiar environment, because staying in England would have been simpler. But I said: ‘I should attempt this overseas challenge. Let me learn a new culture. Italy’s top division is known for its defensive abilities, tactics, playing approach. Thus, I determined: ‘I should join and develop on my defensive side, but display my talents in attack and bring my own style to this league.’”

Professional Routine

Norton-Cuffy is known for exhausting bursts down the wing and puts his energy down to a energy-boosting diet that starts three days before a match. Most of his nutrition are provided by Genoa but he learned to cook at Arsenal – one of the skills young players are taught at the club’s training facility.

“They helped me mature toward adulthood, with stuff on the pitch and through life skills,” notes the player. “In North London, youth develop and improving constantly every day. When not training, cooking lessons occur. These skills have helped, absolutely. Coaches guaranteed you were doing your psychology work, similar aspects. During matches, clearly, standards are high: expectations are maximum, so I feel like it has helped me greatly.”

Coaching Effect

The team has had a difficult beginning, earning just two points in five matches but working with the legend remains a perfect scenario for Norton-Cuffy. He credits the ex-international, who took over from Gilardino last November, for enhancing his tactical awareness: “His playing career was exceptional, now he’s an excellent coach and he’s assisted my development since his arrival. The aim remains to climb the table. Our priority is to reach safety, typically, ensure survival, and then assess further, but the team has potential of achieving positive results.”

England Aspirations

Shortly after England’s European victory, the manager discussed a hat-trick of victories for the young Lions in 2027. Norton‑Cuffy, part of the junior selection that secured victory in 2022, is anticipated to play in the young Lions’ qualifying matches against Moldova and Andorra this month and says Carsley has also been a significant factor in his development.

“When I had difficult moments last year, he would take the time to reach out, advise: ‘Persevere, you recognize your talent,’ give you a little pep talk. He’s consistently available. When you’re playing for the under-21s, the message is repeated constantly: the aim isn’t youth team participation the goal is to be in England’s first team. Therefore, it relies on my contributions internationally and how well I do at my club. It’s for me to push myself forward and that’s my responsibility.”