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Formal or informal? It speaks volumes about Habib Diarra that his elation at being elevated from the youth ranks at Strasbourg to the senior squad was mixed with anxiety over the two French words for “you.”

Would addressing new, senior teammates by using “tu” be regarded as disrespectful? In the end, the promising talent opted for caution and chose the more formal “vous”. This prompted widespread amusement from the older players 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 reflected 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 goal of mine and the coach presented me with a clear and interesting project.”

Almost five years later, Diarra is settled in an office at the club's training ground detailing why he turned down offers from, among others, Milan, Atlético Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, Aston Villa and Leeds. His innate courtesy endures but it is clear that the young Senegal international and doubt are practically unacquainted. Diarra conducts himself with the confidence befitting a player who led Strasbourg at the age of 20 and, only last month, returned from Morocco holding an Africa Cup of Nations winners’ medal.

A Defined Vision

Now that the groin issue that kept him out for much of the opening months of the domestic season resolved, Diarra is on a mission to demonstrate precisely why he agreed to become Sunderland’s record £30m signing last summer. Analysts in France and Senegal queried Diarra’s unfashionable choice but he knew all about Régis Le Bris’s standing as a gifted youth coach.

“I haven’t been surprised by the coach’s capabilities because I already knew what he’s capable of,” says Diarra. “Playing against 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 first objective is reaching 40 points, a place in Europe is certainly a achievable goal this season.”

A Family Atmosphere

Outside, the chilly February wind and heavy downpour makes the region look as bleak as it is often stereotyped. Internally, things are considerably warmer. The environment is devoid of the type of strain notable at certain clubs where administrative staff are kept apart from Premier League squads. Diarra describes the environment as “really natural” and commends Le Bris’s role in its formation.

“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 underpinning Sunderland’s defensive organization are a testament to the head coach’s attention to minutiae, Le Bris also likes his players to use their initiative. He offers his midfielders complete licence to improvise and swap roles.

“The coach sets 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. “During matches that feels good. That freedom is so important. Granit, our skipper, helps us a lot. He’s a massive influence and a fantastic example.”

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 language skills to also answer them, which would be his third language. 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 out of action 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 looking forward to 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 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.”