🔗 Share this article 'We are a family unit here': Sunderland's midfielder revels in positive vibes at Sunderland. Vous or Tu? It says a lot about the young Senegalese star that his joy at being elevated from the youth ranks at Strasbourg to the senior squad was accompanied by worry over the two French words for “you.” Would addressing new, established teammates by using “tu” be regarded as too familiar? Ultimately, the promising talent opted for caution and chose 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. “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.’ The Premier League was always a goal of mine and the coach presented me with a well-defined and appealing project.” Almost five years later, Diarra is settled in an office at Sunderland’s Academy of Light explaining why he turned down offers from, among others, Milan, Atlético Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, Aston Villa and Leeds. His innate courtesy endures but it is evident that the young Senegal international and doubt are practically unacquainted. Diarra carries himself with the confidence suited to 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 Clear Project Now that the groin issue that kept him out for much of the first half of the league campaign 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 the manager's standing as a gifted youth coach. “It came as no shock by the coach’s ability because I already knew what he’s capable of,” says Diarra. “Playing against his teams I realised he was very good, very strong tactically. He’s someone I know is aiding my development. And although our primary aim is reaching 40 points, a place in Europe is certainly a achievable goal this season.” A Family Atmosphere Externally, the cold winter gusts and heavy downpour makes the region look as bleak as it is often stereotyped. Internally, things are considerably warmer. The environment is free of the type of tension notable at certain clubs where administrative staff are deliberately segregated 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 support each other,” he says. “We’re all proud of each other.” Freedom Within a Framework If the structure, rigor 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 interchange positions. “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 all-action No 8. “Out on the pitch that feels good. That freedom is so important. Our captain, Granit, helps us a lot. He’s a massive influence and a superb role model.” Journey and Adaptation Diarra is speaking through a French interpreter but his English has progressed to the point where he can grasp most questions. He is now focusing on acquiring the vocabulary to also answer them, which would be his third tongue. He is fluent in Wolof, the language he spoke growing up 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. “Getting hurt 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 feel really comfortable here.”