🔗 Share this article 'It’s a family atmosphere here': Sunderland's midfielder celebrates good times at Sunderland. Vous or Tu? It says a lot about the young Senegalese star that his joy at being promoted from the youth ranks at Strasbourg to the first team was tempered by worry over the two French words for “you.” Would addressing new, older teammates by using “tu” be regarded as too familiar? Ultimately, the promising talent opted for caution and selected the more polite “vous”. Cue wholesale laughter from the veterans who instructed him not to be so ridiculous; 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 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 detailing why he ignored overtures from, among others, several top European clubs. His innate courtesy endures but it is clear that the 22-year-old Senegal international and doubt are practically unacquainted. Diarra carries himself with the confidence 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 opening months of the domestic season healed, Diarra is on a mission to show exactly why he agreed to become Sunderland’s record £30m signing last summer. Analysts in France and Senegal queried Diarra’s surprising decision but he knew all about the manager's reputation as a talented youth coach. “I haven’t been surprised by the coach’s ability because I already knew what he’s capable of,” 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 primary aim is reaching 40 points, a place in Europe is certainly a realistic target this season.” A Unified Environment Externally, the chilly February wind and heavy downpour makes the region look as bleak as it is often depicted. Internally, things are considerably warmer. The environment is devoid of the type of strain found in certain clubs where administrative staff are kept apart from first-team players. Diarra describes the environment as “very organic” and commends 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. “We’re all proud of each other.” Freedom Within a Framework If the structure, rigor and immense effort supporting Sunderland’s defensive organization are a proof of the head coach’s attention to minutiae, Le Bris also likes his players to use their initiative. He offers his engine room players full freedom to improvise and swap roles. “Our manager establishes his tactics out within a structure 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 is empowering. That autonomy 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 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 tongue. He is proficient in Wolof, the language he spoke growing up in his hometown near the Senegalese capital. His precocious maturity helped him combat the frustration of needing an operation 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 loved playing for France but my inner feeling prevailed,” 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 adapted very well,” he says. “I feel really comfortable here.”