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Were there a key element to the togetherness among the England Under-21s players as they secured their European title this summer, Brooke Norton-Cuffy might have let it slip: a group game called Werewolf. Brought into the senior England camp during the Qatar World Cup in Qatar, it pits a small knowledgeable faction called the wolves against the uninformed majority known as the villagers as they aim to outwit each other to win, in a structure like the hit television program The Traitors.

“We played each evening,” says Norton-Cuffy. “It significantly strengthened our unity because you learn about teammates. In this day and age when everyone can be on their phones, you gather, you have a laugh, you have a joke … the team was very united, the collective was strong, and it showed during matches when we ended up going and winning it.”

This reflects the situation for developing footballers that the young Lions had only limited time to celebrate their dramatic late victory over Germany before they headed to their clubs. In Norton-Cuffy’s case involved traveling to Italy – the club he joined in August 2024 after a decade at Arsenal – before embarking on a well-deserved holiday.

“The transition was very rapid, so I think we probably didn’t get to enjoy it properly,” he says. “But I don’t feel like it was a shock for this group to emerge champions. The squad thought: ‘We should win the tournament, and we would triumph,’ so after winning, it was like: ‘Well, we accomplished it, it’s an achievement, let’s take our holidays, but everyone needs to perform for their teams.’”

Serie A Impact

The defender has definitely carried that energy to Genoa’s season. Having missed a large portion of his initial year owing to injuries, the 21-year-old from Southwark has become a regular under ex-Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira and says he is regularly recognised around Genoa.

The club is Italy’s oldest club, founded by a group of British immigrants in 1893, and the recent away kit that the defender assisted in launching features the English flag in a nod to their heritage.

“I feel like numerous supporters have related to me in that way, because I’m English, and because of how the club was founded,” he says. “Unexpectedly, it fits perfectly.”

Career Development

Norton-Cuffy is following in the path of another attacking defender from the London area 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, rejecting proposals from Premier League teams and German teams.

“My aim was to move, perform and discover a alternative playing style, experience a new culture and put myself outside what I know as my safe space, because I could have easily stayed. However, I decided: ‘Let me try the challenge abroad. I want to experience different customs. Italy’s top division is renowned for defensive organization, structure, style of play. Therefore, I concluded: ‘I should join and develop on my defensive side, but display my talents offensively and add my unique flair to Italian football.’”

Training and Preparation

Norton-Cuffy is known for exhausting bursts down the right flank and puts his energy down to a carbohydrate-loading routine that commences days ahead of a match. His dietary intake are supplied by the club but he acquired cooking skills at Arsenal – among the capabilities young players are taught at Arsenal’s youth system.

“They assisted my development toward adulthood, through football training and through life skills,” notes the player. “With the Gunners, players attend and you’re learning to be better consistently. Besides sports education, culinary skills are taught. These skills have helped, definitely. The staff ensured mental preparation occurred, related areas. In games, clearly, standards are high: expectations are maximum, so it definitely assisted my development greatly.”

Vieira’s Influence

The club experienced a difficult beginning, taking two points from five league games but working with the legend remains an ideal situation for Norton-Cuffy. He praises the ex-international, who replaced Alberto Gilardino last November, for developing his game intelligence: “He was a great player, he’s a great manager now and he’s assisted my development since his arrival. The aim remains to achieve maximum success. Initially, we must secure our position, I think it is, ensure survival, and then plan ahead, but I believe the squad can of performing well.”

England Aspirations

Immediately following England’s summer triumph, the manager discussed a hat-trick of victories for England’s youth in 2027. The defender, who featured in the youth team that claimed their championship 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 important guide in his journey.

“During challenging periods last year, he found moments to give me a call, tell me: ‘Keep going, you know your quality,’ provide motivation. He’s always there. While representing England’s youth, they stress it in every single camp: success means graduating the objective is senior national team. Therefore, it relies on what I do for the under-21s and my domestic performances. It’s for me to push myself ahead and that’s my challenge.”