Brooke Norton-Cuffy says working under Patrick Vieira at Genoa has been “a dream come true,” crediting the former Arsenal captain for transforming his game and confidence in Italy.
The 21-year-old left Hale End in 2024 after a decade with Arsenal, opting to test himself abroad rather than accept offers from Premier League clubs.
After an injury-hit start to life in Serie A, Norton-Cuffy has become a fixture in Vieira’s side and one of Genoa’s most consistent performers.
“He was a great player, he’s a great manager now and he’s helped me a lot since he’s come in,” Norton-Cuffy told The Guardian. “The objective is to get as high as possible. First we need to hit the 40-point mark, make sure we’re safe, and then look from there, but I think this group is capable of doing some very good things.”
Norton-Cuffy’s form has justified his bold decision to leave England. His defensive positioning and technical ability have improved markedly under Vieira, while his attacking runs down the right have made him a fan favourite at Italy’s oldest club.
Reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest his value has already climbed past €10 million, with several European sides monitoring his progress.
Vieira, who took charge at Genoa last November, has been credited with refining Norton-Cuffy’s tactical understanding and composure in possession. The right-back’s rise has also caught the attention of Lee Carsley, who included him in England’s victorious Under-21 European Championship campaign this summer.
Norton-Cuffy has now started every Serie A match since April and says the influence of both Vieira and his Arsenal education remains central to his development. “At Arsenal, you’re going there and you’re learning to be better every day. If you’re not learning about football, you’re learning about how to cook,” he said. “They helped me mature into a man, on the pitch and off the pitch.”
Genoa’s slow start to the season hasn’t dampened his optimism, and neither has the speculation around his future. For now, the focus remains on improving under Vieira’s guidance. “I wanted to come here, play and experience a new style of football, a new culture,” Norton-Cuffy said.
“The Italian league is known for its defensive abilities, structure, and style of play. So I said, ‘Let me come and improve on my defensive side of the game, but also show what I can do going forward.’”
If he continues on this trajectory, Arsenal’s former academy prospect may yet find his name mentioned alongside some of Serie A’s finest full-backs and Vieira, once again, will have had a hand in shaping another Arsenal success story.