'It’s a family atmosphere here': Sunderland's midfielder delights in positive vibes at Sunderland.

Formal or informal? It reveals much about Habib Diarra that his joy at being promoted from the youth ranks at Strasbourg to the senior squad was mixed with worry over the two distinct words for “you.”

Would addressing new, older teammates by using “tu” be considered disrespectful? Ultimately, the young midfielder opted for caution and selected the more formal “vous”. This prompted widespread amusement from the older players who instructed him not to be so ridiculous; he was part of the group now.

Roughly half a decade later, Diarra is settled in an office at Sunderland’s Academy of Light detailing why he ignored overtures 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 practically unacquainted. Diarra carries himself with the confidence suited to a player who captained Strasbourg at the tender age of twenty and, only last month, returned from Morocco clutching an AFCON championship trophy.

A Clear Project

Now that the groin issue that kept him out for much of the opening months of the domestic season resolved, Diarra is on a quest to show exactly why he agreed to become Sunderland’s most expensive acquisition last summer. Analysts in France and Senegal queried Diarra’s surprising decision but he knew all about Régis Le Bris’s reputation as a gifted youth coach.

“I haven’t been surprised by the coach’s ability 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 helping my game progress. And although our first objective is reaching 40 points, European qualification is certainly a achievable goal this season.”

A Unified Environment

Outside, the cold winter gusts and heavy downpour makes the region look as grim as it is often depicted. Inside, things are much more welcoming. The atmosphere is devoid of the type of tension notable at certain clubs where administrative staff are kept apart from first-team players. Diarra describes the environment as “really natural” and commends Le Bris’s role in its creation.

“The coach always says to us that we’re like a family here and we all support each other,” he says. “We’re all proud of each other.”

Freedom Within a Framework

If the structure, rigor and immense effort underpinning Sunderland’s defensive organization are a proof of 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 be creative and swap roles.

“Our manager establishes his tactics out within a framework but we have license to play within it,” says Diarra, who prefers to be deployed as a box-to-box No 8. “Out on the pitch that is empowering. That freedom is so important. Our captain, Granit, guides us a lot. He’s a massive influence and a fantastic example.”

Journey and Adaptation

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

His precocious maturity helped him deal with the frustration of needing an operation followed by four months out of action last autumn. “Getting hurt so soon after arriving here was disheartening, for sure,” he says. “But it was up to me to manage myself.”

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 enjoyed representing 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 settled very well,” he says. “I feel really comfortable here.”