'We are a family unit here': Habib Diarra delights in positive vibes at the Black Cats.

Formal or informal? It speaks volumes about Habib Diarra that his delight at being promoted from the youth ranks at Strasbourg to the senior squad was accompanied by anxiety over the two distinct words for “you.”

Was it appropriate to address new, older teammates by using “tu” be considered too familiar? In the end, the young midfielder played safe and chose the more formal “vous”. This prompted widespread amusement from the older players who instructed him not to be so silly; he was one of them now.

Roughly half a decade later, Diarra is settled in an office at Sunderland’s Academy of Light explaining why he turned down offers from, among others, Milan, Atlético Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, Aston Villa and Leeds. His innate courtesy endures but it is evident that the 22-year-old Senegal international and uncertainty are virtual strangers. Diarra conducts himself with the self-assurance suited to a player who led Strasbourg at the age of 20 and, only last month, returned from Morocco holding an AFCON championship trophy.

A Clear Project

With the groin injury that kept him out for much of the opening months of the domestic season healed, Diarra is on a mission to demonstrate precisely why he agreed to become Sunderland’s record £30m signing last summer. Pundits in France and Senegal queried Diarra’s surprising decision but he knew all about Régis Le Bris’s reputation as a talented youth coach.

“It came as no shock by the coach’s capabilities because I already knew what he’s capable of,” says Diarra. “Facing his teams I realised he was very good, very strong in terms of strategy. He’s someone I know is aiding my development. And although our primary aim is reaching 40 points, a place in Europe is certainly a achievable goal this season.”

A Family Atmosphere

Outside, the chilly February wind and heavy downpour makes Wearside look as bleak as it is often depicted. Inside, things are considerably warmer. The atmosphere is free of the type of strain found in certain clubs where administrative staff are deliberately segregated from first-team players. Diarra portrays the environment as “really natural” and praises Le Bris’s role in its formation.

“The coach always says to us that we have a familial bond here and we all fight for each other,” he says. “Each of us takes pride of each other.”

Freedom Within a Framework

If the structure, rigor and immense effort supporting Sunderland’s out-of-possession shape are a testament to the head coach’s attention to minutiae, Le Bris also likes his players to use their initiative. He offers his engine room players full freedom to improvise and swap roles.

“The coach sets his tactics out within a framework but we have freedom to play within it,” says Diarra, who prefers to be deployed as a all-action No 8. “During matches that feels good. That freedom is so important. Our captain, Granit, helps us a lot. He’s a really big player and a superb role model.”

Path and Settlement

Diarra is speaking through a French interpreter but his English has progressed to the point where he can grasp most questions. He is now concentrating on acquiring the vocabulary to also answer them, which would be his third language. He is fluent in Wolof, the language he spoke in his youth in his hometown near Dakar.

His early maturity helped him combat the frustration of needing groin surgery followed by four months out of action last autumn. “Getting hurt so soon after arriving here was frustrating, for sure,” he says. “But it was up to me to handle the situation.”

Diarra is now anticipating playing in this summer’s global tournament. Given Senegal have been drawn in the same group as France, a emotional matchup awaits the former Les Bleus under-21 midfielder. “I loved playing for France but my inner feeling prevailed,” says Diarra. “I have no remorse. I was born in Senegal; it makes me proud to play for them.”

Similar emotions apply to Sunderland. “I’ve adapted very well,” he says. “I am really comfortable here.”