🔗 Share this article 'We’re like a family here': Habib Diarra revels in positive vibes at Sunderland. Vous or Tu? It speaks volumes about the young Senegalese star that his elation at being elevated from Strasbourg’s Under-17s to the first team was mixed with worry over the two distinct words for “you.” Would addressing new, senior teammates by using “tu” be seen as too familiar? Ultimately, the young midfielder played safe and chose the more polite “vous”. Cue wholesale laughter from the older players who told him not to be so silly; he was part of the group now. “Once I received 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.’ England's top flight was always a dream 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 explaining why he ignored overtures from, among others, several top European clubs. His innate courtesy remains but it is evident that the 22-year-old Senegal international and uncertainty are practically unacquainted. Diarra conducts 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 winners’ medal. A Clear Project With the groin injury that kept him out for much of the opening months of the league campaign resolved, Diarra is on a quest to show exactly why he agreed to become Sunderland’s record £30m signing 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 in terms of strategy. He’s someone I know is helping my game progress. And although our first objective is reaching 40 points, a place in Europe is certainly a achievable goal this season.” A Unified Environment Outside, the chilly February wind and driving rain 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 Premier League squads. Diarra describes the environment as “very organic” and praises Le Bris’s role in its creation. “Our manager repeatedly states to us that we’re like a family here and we all support each other,” he says. “Each of us takes pride of each other.” Freedom Within a Framework If the organisation, discipline and sheer hard yards underpinning Sunderland’s defensive organization are a proof of the head coach’s meticulous eye for detail, 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 freedom to play within it,” says Diarra, who prefers to be deployed as a box-to-box No 8. “During matches that is empowering. That autonomy is so important. Granit, our skipper, 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 understand most questions. He is now focusing 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 early maturity helped him combat the frustration of needing groin surgery followed by four months on the sidelines last autumn. “Being injured 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 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 adapted very well,” he says. “I feel really comfortable here.”