Formal or informal? It reveals much about Habib Diarra that his elation at being elevated from the youth ranks at Strasbourg to the senior squad was accompanied by worry over the two distinct words for “you.”
Was it appropriate to address new, established teammates by using “tu” be considered too familiar? In the end, the young midfielder played safe and chose the more polite “vous”. Cue wholesale laughter from the veterans who told him not to be so ridiculous; 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.’ The Premier League was always a ambition of mine and the coach outlined for me a well-defined and appealing project.”
Almost five years later, Diarra is sitting in an office at the club's training ground explaining why he ignored overtures from, among others, several top European clubs. His innate courtesy endures but it is evident that the young Senegal international and uncertainty are practically unacquainted. Diarra carries himself with the self-assurance suited to a player who led Strasbourg at the age of 20 and, only last month, returned from Morocco clutching an AFCON winners’ medal.
A Defined Vision
With the groin injury that kept him out for much of the first half of the domestic season 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 questioned Diarra’s unfashionable choice but he knew all about Régis Le Bris’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. “Playing against his teams I understood he was very good, very strong in terms of strategy. He’s someone I know is aiding my development. And although our first objective is reaching 40 points, a place in Europe is certainly a achievable goal this season.”
A Family Atmosphere
Externally, the chilly February wind and driving rain makes the region look as grim as it is often depicted. Inside, things are considerably warmer. The atmosphere is free of the type of strain found in certain clubs where office workers are deliberately segregated from Premier League squads. Diarra portrays the environment as “really natural” and praises 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.”
Liberty and Structure
If the organisation, discipline and sheer hard yards supporting Sunderland’s defensive organization are a testament to the head coach’s meticulous eye for detail, Le Bris also likes his players to think for themselves. He offers his midfielders full freedom to be creative and swap roles.
“The coach sets his tactics out within a framework but we have freedom to play within it,” says Diarra, who prefers to be deployed as a box-to-box No 8. “During matches that is empowering. That freedom is so important. Our captain, Granit, helps us a lot. He’s a really big player and a superb role model.”
Path and Settlement
Diarra is using a French interpreter but his English has progressed to the point where he can understand most questions. He is now focusing 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 Dakar.
His early maturity helped him deal with 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 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 emotional matchup awaits the former Les Bleus under-21 midfielder. “I enjoyed representing 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 adapted very well,” he says. “I am really comfortable here.”
