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Should there have been a secret formula to the unity among the England Under-21s players as they secured their European title this summer, Brooke Norton-Cuffy might have let it slip: a social game called Werewolf. Introduced to the England first team setup during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, it opposes 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 structure like the well-known series The Traitors.

“We played each evening,” the defender explains. “It significantly strengthened our unity because you learn about teammates. In this day and age when everyone can be on their phones, you come together, you have a laugh, you share moments … the squad was extremely close, the collective was strong, and it showed during matches when we succeeded in winning the tournament.”

Such is the reality for emerging talents that the young Lions had only a few hours to celebrate their last-minute triumph over Germany before they dispersed. The defender’s situation involved traveling to Italy – the team he signed for in August 2024 after ten years with Arsenal – before taking a much-needed break.

“Everything happened very fast, so I think we likely couldn’t fully appreciate it as much as we should have,” he says. “However, I don’t believe it was a shock for this group to emerge champions. We all felt like: ‘Victory was ours to take, and we are going to win the tournament,’ so upon achieving it, it was like: ‘Well, we accomplished it, we feel proud, let’s take our holidays, but now everyone’s got to go and rip up at their clubs.’”

Serie A Impact

He has undoubtedly brought that momentum into the Serie A campaign. After missing a large portion of his debut campaign owing to injuries, the 21-year-old from Southwark has secured a starting spot under ex-Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira and notes he’s often spotted around the Italian city.

They represent Italy’s most historic team, founded by a group of British immigrants in 1893, and the latest alternate jersey that the defender assisted in launching features the St George’s Cross in acknowledgment of their history.

“It seems numerous supporters have related to me in that way, because I’m English, and given the club’s origins,” he says. “It’s strangely come together very nicely.”

Football Journey

The defender is emulating the path of another attacking defender from the London area in Djed Spence, who had a loan spell at Genoa from the North London club in 2024. The player chose to depart Arsenal after valuable experiences at Lincoln, Rotherham, Millwall and Coventry, rejecting proposals from English top-flight clubs and German teams.

“My aim was to move, compete and learn a different football approach, learn about Italian culture and put myself outside what I consider my familiar environment, because staying in England would have been simpler. Yet I thought: ‘I should attempt this overseas challenge. Let me learn a new culture. Italy’s top division is renowned for defensive organization, organization, football philosophy. So I said: ‘I should join and develop on my defensive side, but demonstrate my abilities in attack and bring my own style to this league.’”

Training and Preparation

Norton-Cuffy is known for lung‑bursting runs down the right flank and puts his energy down to a energy-boosting diet that commences days ahead of a match. Most of his nutrition are provided by Genoa but he acquired cooking skills at Arsenal – among the capabilities developing footballers receive at the club’s training facility.

“They helped me mature toward adulthood, with stuff on the pitch and in personal development,” notes the player. “At Arsenal, you’re going there and developing continuously daily. When not training, you’re learning about how to cook. This has proven useful, definitely. They always made sure psychological development was addressed, stuff like that. In games, clearly, standards are high: the level, the standard is extremely high, so I believe it benefited me significantly.”

Vieira’s Influence

Genoa have made a slow start, earning just two points in five matches but working with the legend remains an ideal situation for Norton-Cuffy. He acknowledges the former France midfielder, who replaced Alberto Gilardino last November, for enhancing his tactical awareness: “As a footballer, he excelled, currently he’s a top manager and he’s improved my game since he’s come in. The objective is to climb the table. First we need to reach safety, typically, ensure survival, and then assess further, but the team has potential of doing some very good things.”

International Ambitions

Within minutes of England’s summer triumph, Carsley was targeting a third consecutive title for England’s youth in 2027. Norton‑Cuffy, part of the youth team that secured victory in 2022, is anticipated to play in the under-21s’ qualifiers against Moldova and Andorra in October and notes the coach has also served as a significant factor in his development.

“When facing obstacles last year, he made time to give me a call, say: ‘Continue pushing, you know your quality,’ provide motivation. He’s consistently available. During youth international duty, the message is repeated constantly: the goal is not to be in the under-21s 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. The responsibility is mine out there and that’s my responsibility.”