🔗 Share this article 'It’s a family atmosphere here': Sunderland's midfielder celebrates positive vibes at Sunderland. Formal or informal? It says a lot about Habib Diarra that his elation 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, established teammates by using “tu” be seen as disrespectful? Ultimately, the young midfielder played safe and selected the more formal “vous”. Cue widespread amusement from the older players who told him not to be so ridiculous; he was one of them now. “After I had the first call with the coach, I sat down and said to my parents: ‘Sunderland’s where I want to be; that’s where I want to play.’ The Premier League was always a dream of mine and the coach outlined for me a clear and interesting project.” Almost five years later, Diarra is sitting in an office at Sunderland’s Academy of Light explaining why he turned down offers from, among others, several top European clubs. His natural politeness endures but it is apparent that the young Senegal international and doubt are practically unacquainted. Diarra conducts himself with the confidence suited to a player who led Strasbourg at the tender age of twenty and, only last month, returned from Morocco holding an AFCON winners’ medal. A Clear Project Now that the groin issue that kept him out for much of the opening months of the league campaign resolved, Diarra is on a mission to show exactly why he agreed to become Sunderland’s record £30m signing last summer. Pundits in France and Senegal queried Diarra’s unfashionable choice but he knew all about Régis Le Bris’s standing 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 understood he was very good, very strong tactically. He’s someone I know is aiding my development. And although our first objective is reaching 40 points, European qualification is certainly a realistic target this season.” A Unified Environment Outside, the cold winter gusts and heavy downpour makes the region look as bleak as it is often stereotyped. Inside, things are much more welcoming. The environment is devoid of the type of strain notable at certain clubs where office workers are kept apart from first-team players. Diarra portrays the environment as “very organic” and commends Le Bris’s role in its formation. “Our manager repeatedly states to us that we have a familial bond here and we all support each other,” he says. “We’re all proud of each other.” Freedom Within a Framework If the organisation, discipline and sheer hard yards supporting Sunderland’s defensive organization 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 complete licence to improvise and interchange positions. “The coach sets his tactics out within a framework but we have freedom to play within it,” says Diarra, who favors playing as a box-to-box No 8. “During matches that feels good. That autonomy is so important. Granit, our skipper, guides 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 tongue. He is fluent in Wolof, the language he spoke growing up in Guédiawaye near the Senegalese capital. His early maturity helped him combat the disappointment 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 looking forward to playing in this summer’s World Cup. 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 heart spoke,” says Diarra. “I have no remorse. I was born in Senegal; it fills me with pride to play for them.” Similar emotions apply to Sunderland. “I’ve adapted very well,” he says. “I feel really comfortable here.”