'It’s a family atmosphere here': Sunderland's midfielder delights in good times at Sunderland.

Formal or informal? It speaks volumes about the young Senegalese star that his joy at being elevated from Strasbourg’s Under-17s to the first team was tempered by worry over the two French words for “you.”

Was it appropriate to address new, senior teammates by using “tu” be seen as too familiar? In the end, the young midfielder opted for caution and selected the more polite “vous”. This prompted widespread amusement from the veterans who instructed him not to be so silly; he was one of them now.

Almost five years later, Diarra is sitting in an office at the club's training ground explaining why he ignored overtures from, among others, Milan, Atlético Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, Aston Villa and Leeds. His natural politeness endures but it is evident that the 22-year-old Senegal international and uncertainty are virtual strangers. Diarra conducts himself with the self-assurance befitting a player who led Strasbourg at the age of 20 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 first half of the domestic season healed, Diarra is on a quest to show exactly why he agreed to become Sunderland’s most expensive acquisition last summer. Pundits in France and Senegal queried 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 ability because I already knew what he’s capable of,” says Diarra. “Facing his teams I realised 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 cold winter gusts and driving rain makes Wearside look as bleak as it is often stereotyped. Internally, things are much more welcoming. The atmosphere is devoid of the type of tension notable at certain clubs where office workers are deliberately segregated from Premier League squads. Diarra describes the environment as “very organic” and commends Le Bris’s role in its creation.

“The coach always says to us that we have a familial bond here and we all fight for each other,” he says. “Each of us takes pride of each other.”

Liberty and Structure

If the organisation, discipline and sheer hard yards supporting Sunderland’s out-of-possession shape are a proof of the head coach’s attention to minutiae, Le Bris also likes his players to think for themselves. He offers his engine room players complete licence to be creative and interchange positions.

“Our manager establishes his tactics out within a structure but we have license to play within it,” says Diarra, who favors playing as a all-action No 8. “During matches that is empowering. That freedom is so important. Our captain, Granit, guides us a lot. He’s a massive influence and a fantastic example.”

Path and Settlement

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 language skills to also answer them, which would be his third tongue. He is proficient in Wolof, the language he spoke growing up in Guédiawaye near Dakar.

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 disheartening, for sure,” he says. “But it was up to me to handle the situation.”

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 adapted very well,” he says. “I am really comfortable here.”