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Were there a hidden ingredient to the unity among the England Under-21s players as they defended their European title this summer, the young full-back might have revealed it: a card game called Werewolf. Adopted by the senior England camp during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, it matches a small informed group 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.

“We played each evening,” the defender explains. “It truly brought us together because you understand each other better. Today when people are often on devices, you gather, you have a laugh, you create memories … the squad was extremely close, all were united, and this was evident in games when we ended up going and winning it.”

This reflects the life of a young player that the England U21 team had only brief period to celebrate their dramatic late victory over Germany before they went their separate ways. The defender’s situation involved joining his Serie A club – his new side in August 2024 after ten years with Arsenal – before taking a well-deserved holiday.

“The transition was very rapid, so I think we probably didn’t get to enjoy it properly,” he says. “Yet I didn’t consider it was a shock for this group to go and win it. Everyone believed: ‘We should win the tournament, and we would triumph,’ so after winning, it was like: ‘Well, we accomplished it, we’re proud of ourselves, let’s take our holidays, but now each player must excel with their clubs.’”

Genoa Contribution

Norton-Cuffy has certainly taken that energy to Genoa’s season. After missing a considerable period of his debut campaign owing to injuries, the London-born defender has secured a starting spot under the Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and notes he’s often spotted around the port city.

Genoa are Italy’s oldest club, established by a group of English settlers in 1893, and the latest alternate jersey that Norton-Cuffy helped to promote features the English flag in acknowledgment of their history.

“I feel like numerous supporters have related to me in that way, due to my nationality, and because of how the club was founded,” he says. “It’s strangely come together very nicely.”

Football Journey

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. He opted to exit Arsenal after productive spells at Lincoln, Rotherham, Millwall and Coventry, turning down offers from two Premier League sides and Bundesliga outfits.

“I wanted to come here, play and experience a different football approach, immerse in different traditions and step out of what I know as my safe space, because I could have easily stayed. Yet I thought: ‘Time to test myself internationally. I want to experience different customs. Serie A is known for its defensive abilities, organization, football philosophy. Thus, I determined: ‘I should join and develop on my defensive side, but also show what I can do offensively and add my unique flair to Serie A.’”

Fitness and Nutrition

Norton-Cuffy is known for energy-sapping sprints down the wing and attributes his stamina to a carbohydrate-loading routine that begins 72 hours prior a match. Most of his nutrition are arranged by the team but he developed culinary abilities at Arsenal – part of the education developing footballers receive at the club’s training facility.

“They assisted my development into a man, through football training and off the pitch,” explains the defender. “In North London, youth develop and you’re learning to be better daily. When not training, cooking lessons occur. It’s come in handy, 100%. Coaches guaranteed you were doing your psychology work, stuff like that. In games, naturally, it’s a top club: expectations are maximum, so I feel like it has helped me greatly.”

Coaching Effect

Genoa have made a slow start, securing minimal points early but working with the legend remains a perfect scenario for Norton-Cuffy. He acknowledges the legendary player, who replaced Alberto Gilardino last November, for improving his positional skills: “He was a great player, now he’s an excellent coach and he’s assisted my development after joining. The objective is to climb the table. First we need to secure our position, I think it is, guarantee our status, and then plan ahead, but the team has potential of doing some very good things.”

England Aspirations

Immediately following England’s summer triumph, the coach already aimed for a third consecutive title for the young Lions in 2027. The defender, who featured in the junior selection that secured victory in 2022, is anticipated to play in 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.

“During challenging periods last year, he would take the time to contact me, tell me: ‘Keep going, you know your quality,’ offer encouragement. He’s always there. 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. So it’s dependent on my contributions internationally and my domestic performances. The responsibility is mine ahead and that’s on me.”