Formal or informal? It speaks volumes about the young Senegalese star that his joy at being promoted from Strasbourg’s Under-17s to the senior squad was accompanied by anxiety over the two French words for “you.”
Was it appropriate to address new, senior teammates by using “tu” be regarded as too familiar? Ultimately, the promising talent played safe and chose the more formal “vous”. Cue wholesale laughter from the older players who instructed him not to be so silly; he was part of the group 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 dream of mine and the coach outlined for me a well-defined and appealing project.”
Roughly half a decade later, Diarra is sitting in an office at Sunderland’s Academy of Light explaining why he ignored overtures from, among others, Milan, Atlético Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, Aston Villa and Leeds. His innate courtesy remains but it is clear that the young Senegal international and doubt are virtual strangers. Diarra carries 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 Clear Project
Now that the groin issue that kept him out for much of the first half of the domestic season healed, Diarra is on a quest to demonstrate precisely why he agreed to become Sunderland’s record £30m signing last summer. Pundits in France and Senegal queried Diarra’s surprising decision but he knew all about Régis Le Bris’s reputation 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. “Facing 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 primary aim is reaching 40 points, a place in Europe is certainly a achievable goal this season.”
A Unified Environment
Outside, the cold winter gusts and driving rain makes Wearside look as grim as it is often depicted. Internally, things are considerably warmer. The environment is devoid of the type of strain notable at certain clubs where administrative staff are deliberately segregated from Premier League squads. Diarra portrays the environment as “really natural” and commends Le Bris’s role in its formation.
“The coach always says to us that we’re like a family here and we all fight for each other,” he says. “Each of us takes pride of each other.”
Liberty and Structure
If the structure, rigor and immense effort underpinning Sunderland’s defensive organization are a proof of 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 improvise and swap roles.
“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 feels good. That freedom is so important. Granit, our skipper, guides us a lot. He’s a massive influence and a fantastic example.”
Journey and Adaptation
Diarra is using a French interpreter but his English has progressed to the point where he can grasp most questions. He is now focusing on acquiring the vocabulary to also answer them, which would be his third tongue. He is fluent in Wolof, the language he spoke in his youth in Guédiawaye near Dakar.
His precocious maturity helped him deal with the disappointment 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 looking forward to 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. “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.”
