English U21 full-back Coffey, who plays for Genoa, was interviewed and talked about his experience in participating in the U21 European Cup with the team, Arsenal's youth training, Vieira and other topics. England U21 defended the European champ...
English U21 full-back Coffey, who plays for Genoa, was interviewed and talked about his experience in participating in the U21 European Cup with the team, Arsenal's youth training, Vieira and other topics.
England U21 defended the European champion in the summer. What is the secret to unity of that team?
If there is any secret, it may be a card game called "Werewolf Kill". The game was introduced to the English adult team during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and the gameplay is a small group of informed "werewolfs" against the uninformed "village" majority, both sides attempt to deceive each other to win, in a form similar to the popular TV show "Traitor".
We play every night. This really helps us to strengthen our relationship because you can understand others through this. In today’s era where everyone may be addicted to mobile phones, we can sit down and laugh together and joke around… the whole team is really, really, very close, everyone is united, and you see that when we finally win the championship on the court. What is the situation after winning the championship?
This is the life of young players, Lee Casley's team has only a few hours to celebrate their dramatic victory over Germany, and then everyone goes their separate ways. In my case, I boarded a flight to Genoa, a club I joined in August 2024 after spending a decade at Arsenal before going to enjoy a holiday. It was a very, very fast turnaround, so I would say we might not be able to enjoy the win as much as we should, but I think that's football. However, I don't think it's shocking to win the championship. We all feel like: ‘We should win this event, and we will win this event. ’ So when we do it, it feels like, ‘Okay, we do it, we’re proud of ourselves, let’s go on vacation, but now everyone has to go back to their respective clubs to shine. ’
Talk about this club in Genoa and your connection with it?
Genoa is the oldest club in Italy, founded by a group of British diaspora in 1893, and the new away jersey I helped promote has a St. George Cross on it in a tribute to its tradition. I feel that many Italians seem to have contacted me in this way because I am British and because of the history of the club. All of this unexpectedly blended together perfectly.
Why did you choose to join Genoa after leaving Arsenal?
I am following in the footsteps of another full-back from South London, Jed Spence, who played for four and a half months from Tottenham to Genoa on loan from Tottenham in 2024. After successfully loaning to Lincoln, Rotherham, Millwall and Coventry, I decided to leave Arsenal when I turned down invitations from two Premier League teams and some German clubs. I thought of coming here, playing football and experiencing a new style of football, experiencing a new culture, putting myself out of what I call a comfort zone, because I could have easily stayed in England to play for a British team.
But I said to myself, 'Let me try the challenges abroad. Let me learn a new culture. ’The Italian League is known for its defensive ability, structure and style of play. So I said, ‘Let me come here to improve my defensive aspects in the game, and also show my ability on the offensive end to bring my own style to this league. ’
How did your youth training experience at Arsenal help you?
They helped me grow into a man, both on and off the court. At Arsenal, you learn every day how to get better. If you are not learning football, you are learning how to cook. This really comes in handy, 100%. They always make sure you are doing psychological work, things like that. And then on the court, obviously, it's Arsenal Football Club: the level and the standards are extremely high, so I feel that this helps me a lot.
Talking about Vieira
"He was a great player and now a great coach, and he has helped me a lot since he came. Our goal is to get as high as possible. First we need to reach the 40 mark, I think so, make sure we are safe and relegated, and then look. But I think this team has the ability to do something really good."
How is your relationship with England U21 head coach Casley? And what is the future?
When I was having trouble last year, he would take time to call me and say, 'Come on, you know your strength. ’ Give you some words of encouragement. He was always there. When you play for the U21, they emphasize in every training camp: the goal is not to stay at the U21, the goal is to enter the English adult team. So it depends on how well I did at the U21 and how well I did at the club. It takes me to work hard, it depends on me.
