🔗 Share this article

Should there have been a secret formula 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 group game called Werewolf. Adopted by the England first team setup during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, it opposes a small informed group called the wolves against the unknowing villagers known as the villagers as they aim to outwit each other to win, in a structure like the well-known series The Traitors.

“Every night we played,” says Norton-Cuffy. “It truly brought us together because you get to know people. In this day and age when people are often on devices, you gather, you enjoy yourselves, you create memories … the group was really, really tight, all were united, and you saw that on the pitch when we ultimately claimed victory.”

Such is the situation for developing footballers that the England U21 team had only a few hours to celebrate their thrilling win over Germany before they went their separate ways. The defender’s situation involved boarding a flight to Genoa – the team he signed for in August 2024 after a decade at Arsenal – before taking a much-needed break.

“The transition was very rapid, so I think we perhaps missed fully celebrating it to the extent we deserved,” he says. “But I don’t feel like it was unexpected for us to emerge champions. Everyone believed: ‘Victory was ours to take, and we would triumph,’ so after winning, it was like: ‘OK, we’ve done it, we feel proud, time for vacation, but now everyone’s got to go and rip up at their clubs.’”

Serie A Impact

The defender has definitely carried that momentum into the Serie A campaign. Having missed a considerable period of his initial year owing to injuries, the young English talent has become a regular under ex-Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira and says he is regularly recognised around the Italian city.

They represent Italy’s oldest club, established 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 recognition of their origins.

“I feel like a lot of Italians have related to me in that way, as an English player, and given the club’s origins,” he says. “Unexpectedly, it fits perfectly.”

Professional Growth

The defender is emulating the journey of a similar wing-back from the capital in Djed Spence, who had a loan spell at Genoa from Spurs in 2024. Norton-Cuffy decided to leave Arsenal after productive spells at Lincoln, Rotherham, Millwall and Coventry, declining opportunities from Premier League teams and clubs in Germany.

“My aim was to move, compete and learn a new style of football, experience a new culture and put myself outside what I know as my safe space, because staying in England would have been simpler. But I said: ‘Time to test myself internationally. I want to experience different customs. The Italian league is known for its defensive abilities, structure, style of play. So I said: ‘I should join and develop my defensive skills, but also show what I can do in attack and add my unique flair to this league.’”

Training and Preparation

The defender is recognized for energy-sapping sprints down the wing and attributes his stamina to a energy-boosting diet that begins 72 hours prior a match. His dietary intake are arranged by the team but he developed culinary abilities at Arsenal – among the capabilities young players are taught at Arsenal’s youth system.

“The club guided my growth toward adulthood, through football training and through life skills,” notes the player. “In North London, youth develop and you’re learning to be better consistently. If you’re not learning about football, you’re learning about how to cook. This has proven useful, 100%. They always made sure mental preparation occurred, related areas. And then on the pitch, clearly, standards are high: 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 working with the legend remains a perfect scenario for Norton-Cuffy. He acknowledges the legendary player, who took over from Gilardino last November, for enhancing his tactical awareness: “His playing career was exceptional, currently he’s a top manager and he’s improved my game since he’s come in. The objective is to climb the table. Initially, we must reach safety, approximately, guarantee our status, and then look from there, but I think this group is capable of performing well.”

England Aspirations

Within minutes of England’s summer triumph, the coach already aimed for a three-peat for the under-21s in 2027. Having been in the junior selection that won their European title in 2022, is likely to feature the young Lions’ qualifying matches against Moldova and Andorra during the international break and explains the manager has acted as a major influence on his career.

“When I had difficult moments last year, he would take the time to reach out, tell me: ‘Keep going, you understand your ability,’ provide motivation. He’s always there. While representing England’s youth, coaches emphasize regularly: the goal is not to be in the under-21s the goal is to be in England’s first team. Thus, it hinges on my performances for the youth team and how well I do at my club. I must drive myself out there and that’s my responsibility.”