🔗 Share this article 'We’re like a family here': Sunderland's midfielder revels in positive vibes at Sunderland. Vous or Tu? It says a lot about the young Senegalese star that his elation at being elevated from the youth ranks at Strasbourg to the first team was accompanied by anxiety over the two French words for “you.” Would addressing new, senior teammates by using “tu” be seen as disrespectful? In the end, the young midfielder played safe and selected the more formal “vous”. Cue wholesale laughter from the veterans who told him not to be so silly; he was part of the group 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.’ England's top flight was always a ambition of mine and the coach outlined for me a clear and interesting project.” 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 natural politeness remains but it is clear that the young Senegal international and uncertainty are practically unacquainted. Diarra carries himself with the confidence befitting a player who led Strasbourg at the tender age of twenty 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 first half 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 queried Diarra’s unfashionable choice but he knew all about the manager'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 primary aim is reaching 40 points, a place in Europe is certainly a achievable goal this season.” A Unified Environment Externally, the cold winter gusts and heavy downpour makes Wearside look as bleak as it is often stereotyped. Inside, things are considerably warmer. The atmosphere is free of the type of strain notable at certain clubs where office workers are deliberately segregated from first-team players. Diarra portrays the environment as “very organic” and praises Le Bris’s role in its formation. “The coach always says 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 structure, rigor and sheer hard yards underpinning 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 use their initiative. He offers his engine room players full freedom to be creative and interchange positions. “The coach sets his tactics out within a structure but we have freedom to play within it,” says Diarra, who favors playing as a all-action No 8. “Out on the pitch that is empowering. 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 understand most questions. He is now focusing 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 his hometown near the Senegalese capital. His precocious maturity helped him deal with the disappointment 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 manage myself.” Diarra is now anticipating playing in this summer’s World Cup. Given Senegal have been drawn in the same group as France, a poignant reunion awaits the former Les Bleus under-21 midfielder. “I enjoyed representing for France but my heart spoke,” says Diarra. “I have no remorse. 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.”