🔗 Share this article 'We’re like a family here': Habib Diarra revels in good times at the Black Cats. Formal or informal? It says a lot about the young Senegalese star that his elation at being promoted from Strasbourg’s Under-17s to the senior squad was tempered by worry over the two distinct words for “you.” Would addressing new, senior teammates by using “tu” be seen as disrespectful? In the end, the promising talent opted for caution and selected the more formal “vous”. This prompted widespread amusement from the older players who told him not to be so ridiculous; he was part of the group now. “After I had the first call with the coach, I reflected 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 goal of mine and the coach presented me with a well-defined and appealing project.” Roughly half a decade 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 apparent 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 Africa Cup of Nations winners’ medal. A Defined Vision With the groin injury that sidelined him for much of the opening months of the domestic season resolved, Diarra is on a mission to show exactly why he agreed to become Sunderland’s most expensive acquisition last summer. Pundits in France and Senegal questioned Diarra’s surprising decision but he knew all about Régis Le Bris’s standing as a gifted 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 helping my game progress. And although our primary aim is reaching 40 points, European qualification is certainly a achievable goal this season.” A Family Atmosphere Outside, the chilly February wind and driving rain makes Wearside look as grim as it is often stereotyped. Internally, things are much more welcoming. The environment is free of the type of strain found in certain clubs where administrative staff are deliberately segregated from Premier League squads. Diarra describes the environment as “really natural” and praises Le Bris’s role in its formation. “Our manager repeatedly states to us that we’re like a family here and we all support each other,” he says. “We’re all proud of each other.” Liberty and Structure If the structure, rigor and sheer hard yards supporting Sunderland’s out-of-possession shape are a testament to the head coach’s meticulous eye for detail, Le Bris also likes his players to think for themselves. He offers his midfielders complete licence 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 favors playing as a box-to-box No 8. “Out on the pitch that feels good. That freedom is so important. Granit, our skipper, guides us a lot. He’s a really big player and a superb role model.” Journey and Adaptation Diarra is using a French interpreter but his English has advanced to the point where he can understand 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 growing up in Guédiawaye near the Senegalese capital. His precocious maturity helped him combat the disappointment of needing an operation followed by four months out of action last autumn. “Being injured so soon after arriving here was disheartening, 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 heart spoke,” says Diarra. “There’s no regrets. I was born in Senegal; it fills me with pride to play for them.” Comparable feelings apply to Sunderland. “I've settled very well,” he says. “I feel really comfortable here.”