🔗 Share this article 'We’re like a family here': Habib Diarra revels in positive vibes at the Black Cats. Formal or informal? It says a lot about Habib Diarra that his delight at being promoted from Strasbourg’s Under-17s to the senior squad was tempered by anxiety over the two French words for “you.” Was it appropriate to address new, older teammates by using “tu” be regarded as too familiar? In the end, the young midfielder opted for caution and chose the more formal “vous”. Cue wholesale laughter from the older players who told him not to be so silly; 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 ambition 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 evident that the young Senegal international and uncertainty are virtual strangers. Diarra carries himself with the self-assurance suited to a player who captained Strasbourg at the age of 20 and, only last month, returned from Morocco clutching an Africa Cup of Nations championship trophy. A Clear Project Now that the groin issue that sidelined him for much of the first half of the domestic season healed, 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 reputation as a talented youth coach. “I haven’t been surprised by the coach’s capabilities because I already knew what he’s able to achieve,” says Diarra. “Playing against his teams I understood he was very good, very strong tactically. 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 realistic target this season.” A Unified Environment Externally, the chilly February wind and driving rain makes Wearside look as grim as it is often depicted. Internally, things are considerably warmer. The environment is free of the type of strain found in certain clubs where office workers are deliberately segregated from first-team players. Diarra portrays the environment as “really natural” and commends 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 organisation, discipline and immense effort underpinning Sunderland’s defensive organization are a testament to the head coach’s attention to minutiae, Le Bris also likes his players to think for themselves. He offers his engine room players full freedom to be creative and swap roles. “The coach sets his tactics out within a structure 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 autonomy is so important. Granit, our skipper, guides us a lot. He’s a massive influence 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 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 his hometown near the Senegalese capital. His early maturity helped him deal with the frustration of needing an operation followed by four months out of action 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 global tournament. Given Senegal have been drawn in the same group as France, a poignant reunion 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 makes me proud to play for them.” Comparable feelings apply to Sunderland. “I've settled very well,” he says. “I am really comfortable here.”