'We are a family unit here': Sunderland's midfielder delights in 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 mixed with anxiety over the two distinct words for “you.”

Was it appropriate to address new, established teammates by using “tu” be regarded as disrespectful? In the end, the young midfielder played safe and selected the more polite “vous”. Cue widespread amusement from the older players who instructed him not to be so silly; he was one of them now.

Almost five years later, Diarra is sitting in an office at the club's training ground detailing why he turned down offers from, among others, several top European clubs. His innate courtesy remains but it is evident that the 22-year-old Senegal international and doubt are virtual strangers. Diarra carries himself with the self-assurance befitting a player who led Strasbourg at the tender age of twenty and, only last month, returned from Morocco clutching an AFCON championship trophy.

A Defined Vision

With the groin injury that kept him out for much of the opening months of the domestic season resolved, Diarra is on a quest to demonstrate precisely why he agreed to become Sunderland’s record £30m signing last summer. Pundits in France and Senegal questioned Diarra’s unfashionable choice but he knew all about Régis Le Bris’s standing as a gifted youth coach.

“I haven’t been surprised by the coach’s capabilities because I already knew what he’s able to achieve,” says Diarra. “Facing his teams I understood he was very good, very strong in terms of strategy. He’s someone I know is helping my game progress. 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 driving rain makes the region look as bleak as it is often depicted. Internally, things are considerably warmer. The environment is free of the type of tension notable at certain clubs where administrative staff are kept apart from Premier League squads. 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. “We’re all proud of each other.”

Freedom Within a Framework

If the organisation, discipline and immense effort supporting Sunderland’s defensive organization are a proof of the head coach’s meticulous eye for detail, Le Bris also likes his players to think for themselves. He offers his midfielders full freedom to be creative and swap roles.

“Our manager establishes his tactics out within a framework but we have freedom to play within it,” says Diarra, who favors playing as a all-action No 8. “Out on the pitch that feels good. That autonomy is so important. Granit, our skipper, guides us a lot. He’s a really big player and a fantastic example.”

Path and Settlement

Diarra is using a French interpreter but his English has advanced 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 proficient in Wolof, the language he spoke in his youth in Guédiawaye near Dakar.

His early maturity helped him deal with the disappointment of needing an operation followed by four months on the sidelines last autumn. “Being injured so soon after arriving here was disheartening, for sure,” he says. “But it was up to me to manage myself.”

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. “There’s no regrets. I was born in Senegal; it fills me with pride to play for them.”

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