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Formal or informal? It speaks volumes about the young Senegalese star that his joy at being elevated from the youth ranks at Strasbourg to the senior squad was accompanied by anxiety over the two distinct words for “you.”

Would addressing new, senior teammates by using “tu” be regarded as disrespectful? Ultimately, the young midfielder played safe and chose the more formal “vous”. Cue wholesale laughter from the older players who instructed him not to be so ridiculous; 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 outlined for me a clear and interesting project.”

Roughly half a decade later, Diarra is settled in an office at the club's training ground detailing why he ignored overtures from, among others, several top European clubs. His natural politeness endures but it is apparent that the young Senegal international and doubt are practically unacquainted. Diarra conducts himself with the confidence suited to a player who captained Strasbourg at the age of 20 and, only last month, returned from Morocco holding an AFCON championship trophy.

A Defined Vision

With the groin injury that kept him out for much of the first half of the league campaign resolved, Diarra is on a mission to demonstrate precisely why he agreed to become Sunderland’s record £30m signing last summer. Pundits in France and Senegal queried Diarra’s unfashionable choice but he knew all about Régis Le Bris’s standing as a talented 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 understood 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

Outside, the chilly February wind and heavy downpour makes the region look as bleak as it is often depicted. Inside, things are much more welcoming. The atmosphere is free of the type of strain notable at certain clubs where office workers are deliberately segregated from first-team players. Diarra describes the environment as “very organic” 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 underpinning Sunderland’s out-of-possession shape are a proof of the head coach’s attention to minutiae, Le Bris also likes his players to use their initiative. He offers his midfielders full freedom to be creative and interchange positions.

“The coach sets his tactics out within a framework but we have license 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. Granit, our skipper, helps us a lot. He’s a massive influence and a superb role model.”

Path and Settlement

Diarra is speaking through a French interpreter but his English has progressed 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 early maturity helped him combat the disappointment of needing an operation followed by four months on the sidelines last autumn. “Getting hurt 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 global tournament. 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 inner feeling prevailed,” says Diarra. “I have no remorse. I was born in Senegal; it makes me proud to play for them.”

Comparable feelings apply to Sunderland. “I've settled very well,” he says. “I am really comfortable here.”