Premier Skills English Podcast 15
Premier Skills English Podcast 15
In this week's podcast, Jack and Rich talk about Transfer Deadline Day, which is on the 1st of September. They take a look at some of the language involved in buying and selling players as Premier League managers try to finalise their squads for the rest of the season. Do you know the difference between a loan deal and a swap deal or a signing-on fee and a transfer fee?
How much did you understand?
Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll arrived on Transfer Deadline Day in January 2011 for a combined transfer fee of around £57 million.
We use the modal verbs might, may and could + an infinitive form without to when we think it is possible that something is true. We use must when we are sure it is true and can’t when we are sure it isn’t true. In the podcast, Rich said,
"...this player is selling his house so he must be leaving the club or another player has been seen in this city so might be moving to this club."
Fernando Torres is the most expensive Premier League signing on Transfer Deadline Day. The Spaniard cost Chelsea a reported £50 million when they bought him from Liverpool in January 2011.
Jack: Hello my name’s Jack and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast.
Rich: Hi everyone. I’m Rich and every week we talk about football and help you with your English.
Jack: This week, we’re going to talk about the transfer window, the language of buying and selling, and Rich is going to make another Premier League prediction.
Rich: But, before we start. We recently had a comment from Verdemead96 in Poland. When talking about Bournemouth she used the term expansion team and we were asked if this was the correct word to use when a team is new in the Premier League.
Jack: Expansion team is not a term that is used in the Premier League or European football in general. We describe new teams in the Premier League as ‘promoted teams’ or near the start of the season ‘newly promoted teams’ because they have just won promotion from the division below.
Rich: So, Norwich City, Watford and Bournemouth are the promoted teams this season.
Jack: Yes. The term expansion team is often used in sports in the United States. In American sports there is usually no promotion or relegation. When a new team joins a league it’s because a new team has been created often in a city that didn’t have a team before. The league expands to allow the new team to enter the league.
Rich: No relegation or promotion! I think that would make the Premier League much less interesting .
Jack: I know, sometimes on the last day, loads of clubs can still be relegated and it’s one of the most exciting days of the season.
Rich: Bournemouth got promoted last season for the first ever time in their history.
Jack: Winning promotion is one of the best feelings in football for lots of fans.
Rich: Let’s move on to this week’s football. What’s happening in the Premier League this week, Jack?
Jack: Next Tuesday is a big day in the Premier League. It’s transfer deadline day, which is the day the transfer window closes.
Rich: Yes, deadline is a word that is used to describe a point in time when everything has to be finished.
Jack: So all transfers between clubs have to be completed by midnight on the 1st of September.
Rich: Deadline is quite a common word for students. Students usually have deadlines for homework, essays and assignments.
Jack: And if a student misses a deadline their teacher might not correct their assignment or they might lose marks.
Rich: And we have a deadline too! To get this podcast out to our listeners! Didn’t we say 5 ‘o'clock today?
Jack: That’s right! So, with the transfer deadline getting closer there is certain to be lots of buying and selling in the next few days and we’re going to look at some of the language involved in transfers.
Rich: In any transfer, there are normally three steps in the process. Speculation, contact and negotiation.
Jack: You can see speculation online, in newspapers or on the TV every day. Speculation is when people, or more often the media, say what might happen without having all the facts.
Rich: Yes, you often see articles in newspapers saying this player is selling his house so he must be leaving the club or another player has been seen in this city so might be moving to this club.
Jack: Yes, newspapers love all the gossip and rumours. The next step in a transfer is for a club to make contact.
Rich: Yes, if a club wants to buy a player, and the player is under contract, the club has to ask permission to speak to the player.
Jack: You often see this phrase ‘under contract’ and it means a player has a contract with a club so can’t move without the permission of his current club.
Rich: And this usually involves a transfer fee. A fee is an amount of money you pay for a service or to a business. For example you might pay an entrance fee to go into a museum or need to pay legal fees to ask a lawyer for help.
Jack: And a club will not usually give permission to another club to speak to their player before negotiating a transfer fee.
Rich: Negotiation is a noun to describe a discussion between two people or two businesses who want to reach an agreement. The verb is to negotiate.
Jack: What usually happens is that one club will bid for a player, which means to make an offer, and then the other club will decide if the offer is acceptable.
Rich: If it isn’t, they will tell the other club they are not interested or will try to negotiate a better price.
Jack: This process often continues for weeks or even months.
Rich: But what is great about transfer deadline day is that this process often goes much faster and transfer negotiations are often completed very quickly.
Jack: And there’s usually a surprise or two, Radamel Falcao moved to Man Utd on deadline day a year ago and Danny Welbeck moved to Arsenal.
Rich: But it’s not only the negotiations between the clubs that are important but the buying club also has to negotiate with the player and his agent, who is the person that manages the player’s money and career.
Jack: Usually an agent will need to negotiate the length of contract, wages and a signing-on fee which is an amount of money a player receives for joining a new club.
Rich: And if one of these isn’t right it can cause a transfer to break down and stop.
Jack: But not all transfers will involve money changing hands between clubs.
Rich: No, you’ll see deals where clubs exchange players directly instead of money.
Jack: There are also loan deals where a player will join another club for a short period of time.
Rich: And there are also free transfers, when a club decides a player is not needed and can move to another club for free.
Jack: Make sure you watch the sports news on Tuesday because there’ll be lots of transfer activity.
Rich: Let us know in the comments section below if any players arrive or leave your club on transfer deadline day. Are you happy with your club’s transfer business?
Jack: Right, time for your prediction Rich. You got it wrong last week - Arsenal and Liverpool finished 0-0.
Rich: Yes, the goalkeepers were in great form but I suppose a draw was a fair result.
Jack: Let’s hear this week’s prediction.
Rich: This week I’m going to make a prediction for Swansea City v Manchester Utd. Both teams have made good starts to the season and neither team has tasted defeat yet. Swansea looked good against Chelsea and their Ecuadorian winger, Jefferson Montero, and French striker, Bafetimbi Gomis, have been playing really well. Manchester Utd haven’t conceded a Premier League goal this season but have had some problems in attack. But after a hat-trick in the Champions League this week, Wayne Rooney looks like he is back in good form. I think Man Utd will concede their first goal of the season but I think the final score will be Swansea City 1-2 Manchester Utd.
Jack: If you’ve got a prediction for this match or any other Premier League match this weekend let us know in the comments section below.
Rich: Well that’s all for now. Thanks for listening.
Jack: If you’re listening to this on itunes or elsewhere, come back to Premier Skills English for some language activities, a quiz and lots more. You can find us at www.britishcouncil.org/premierskillsenglish .
Rich: Don’t forget if you sign in, you can score points to see if you can get your club, your country and your name to the top of our leaderboard.
Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football.
Quiz
Please login to take this quiz.
Leave a comment
Log in to leave a comment
Comments
07/04/2021
points
Yes, i do.
Dealing With "Achraf Bencharki" - Zamalek.
My prediction this week is Tottenham 1-2 Manchester Utd.
07/04/2021 14:08
Arsenal
438
Yes, i do.
Dealing With "Achraf Bencharki" - Zamalek.
My prediction this week is Tottenham 1-2 Manchester Utd.
05/01/2021
points
If I were a football manager, I wouldn't buy players on Transfer Deadline Day.
05/01/2021 13:53
Arsenal
124
If I were a football manager, I wouldn't buy players on Transfer Deadline Day.
29/05/2020
points
kkl
29/05/2020 09:38
Manchester United
58
kkl
03/05/2020
points
Anthony Martial three years ago :)
03/05/2020 23:55
Manchester United
6539
Anthony Martial three years ago :)
03/05/2020
points
It's not a good idea really
It's toooooo late :(
03/05/2020 23:55
Manchester United
6539
It's not a good idea really
It's toooooo late :(
09/04/2020
points
I don't think that it's logical way to transfer a player on the last day of deadline. Players must be squaded for a period time. Not a sudden desicion.
09/04/2020 07:48
Tottenham Hotspur
5557
I don't think that it's logical way to transfer a player on the last day of deadline. Players must be squaded for a period time. Not a sudden desicion.
13/03/2019
points
Do you think it's a good idea to buy players on Transfer Deadline Day?
No, that is a bad idea. If the club way until the Transfer Deadline Day to buy players they can't negotiate a good transfer fee.
I agree Rich's prediction.
13/03/2019 17:04
Arsenal
112
Do you think it's a good idea to buy players on Transfer Deadline Day?
No, that is a bad idea. If the club way until the Transfer Deadline Day to buy players they can't negotiate a good transfer fee.
I agree Rich's prediction.
28/09/2017
points
I deem football agent is very interesting profession.Can you say who is the most famous football agent in England?
28/09/2017 15:07
Arsenal
2337
I deem football agent is very interesting profession.Can you say who is the most famous football agent in England?
29/01/2017
points
excellent
29/01/2017 17:01
Manchester United
684
excellent
29/01/2017
points
oh
29/01/2017 16:59
Manchester United
684
oh
28/06/2016
points
I am agree with him
28/06/2016 15:38
Manchester City
1734
I am agree with him
28/06/2016
points
yes it is right
28/06/2016 15:36
Manchester City
1734
yes it is right
11/06/2016
points
Anthonio Martial
11/06/2016 09:02
Manchester United
4779
Anthonio Martial
10/05/2016
points
Buying players on transfer deadline day isn't the best as one could be sold for a more higher price than they are worth
10/05/2016 19:45
Manchester United
4779
Buying players on transfer deadline day isn't the best as one could be sold for a more higher price than they are worth
05/04/2016
points
I think it was Firminio .
05/04/2016 15:32
Liverpool
3705
I think it was Firminio .
05/04/2016
points
No it is not,because players need time to have chemistry with other players in the team.
05/04/2016 15:31
Liverpool
3705
No it is not,because players need time to have chemistry with other players in the team.
07/03/2016
points
I am not sure if it is a good idea.
Fenerbahce transferred lots of players like Robin Van Persie and Louis Nani.
07/03/2016 05:12
Leicester City
1761
I am not sure if it is a good idea.
Fenerbahce transferred lots of players like Robin Van Persie and Louis Nani.
04/02/2016
points
- I like so much this podcast; I appreciate your effort to show us details of football market. I like your way to explain the process of football business, which is slightly close to the other types of trades. I already know the meaning of almost words, but in the podcast, they are clearly illustrated. Thanks Rich, Jack for your effort.
For the prediction, you are on the corner Rich ;) , it’s totally the opposite: Swansea City 2-1 Manchester Utd. (SUN, 30 AUG 2015). Is Swansea the black horse on that match?
04/02/2016 16:13
Newcastle United
3189
- I like so much this podcast; I appreciate your effort to show us details of football market. I like your way to explain the process of football business, which is slightly close to the other types of trades. I already know the meaning of almost words, but in the podcast, they are clearly illustrated. Thanks Rich, Jack for your effort.
For the prediction, you are on the corner Rich ;) , it’s totally the opposite: Swansea City 2-1 Manchester Utd. (SUN, 30 AUG 2015). Is Swansea the black horse on that match?
04/02/2016
points
We usually use 'dark horse' for a competition that involves more than two teams or players. I'd say Swansea were the 'underdogs' because nobody thought that they would win.
04/02/2016 21:51
Liverpool
594
We usually use 'dark horse' for a competition that involves more than two teams or players. I'd say Swansea were the 'underdogs' because nobody thought that they would win.
10/05/2016
points
so Leicester City are the dark horse of this season ? They are not on bottom of table to consider them 'underdog'?
10/05/2016 23:46
Newcastle United
3189
so Leicester City are the dark horse of this season ? They are not on bottom of table to consider them 'underdog'?
06/02/2016
points
yes Rich, thanks for fixing the meaning in my mind! It's my ple
06/02/2016 15:21
Newcastle United
3189
yes Rich, thanks for fixing the meaning in my mind! It's my ple
04/02/2016
points
dark horse not black!
04/02/2016 21:47
Newcastle United
3189
dark horse not black!
16/11/2015
points
It's not good to buy players on transfer deadline day because the cost is too high
16/11/2015 15:01
Arsenal
2320
It's not good to buy players on transfer deadline day because the cost is too high
10/11/2015
points
It's a good idea to buy players on Transfer Deadline Day, I don't think so. Because the club will be decided quickly salary of the player who m it wants.
10/11/2015 01:47
Manchester United
257
It's a good idea to buy players on Transfer Deadline Day, I don't think so. Because the club will be decided quickly salary of the player who m it wants.
22/10/2015
points
It's not bad idea, but every manager needs some time to develop a team spirit, so it is not recommended to buy someone on a transfer deadline day.
We didn't buy any new player did we? :-)
22/10/2015 17:47
Arsenal
3557
It's not bad idea, but every manager needs some time to develop a team spirit, so it is not recommended to buy someone on a transfer deadline day.
We didn't buy any new player did we? :-)
19/10/2015
points
so happy
19/10/2015 00:05
Chelsea
160
so happy
19/09/2015
points
I believe it's a great idea to by players on deadline day because it must be needed in the club .
I'm a Chelsea fan and I see Pedro transfer is the best in this summer , he's a fantastic and skilled player which I'm sure he will benefit the club.
19/09/2015 10:20
Chelsea
1814
I believe it's a great idea to by players on deadline day because it must be needed in the club .
I'm a Chelsea fan and I see Pedro transfer is the best in this summer , he's a fantastic and skilled player which I'm sure he will benefit the club.
18/09/2015
points
my prediction this week is Swansea City 0-3 Manchester Utd
18/09/2015 15:43
Tottenham Hotspur
241
my prediction this week is Swansea City 0-3 Manchester Utd
03/09/2015
points
No, especially he is the player who you need for improve your team performance.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was the best transfer in this summer.
03/09/2015 17:56
Manchester United
744
No, especially he is the player who you need for improve your team performance.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was the best transfer in this summer.
02/09/2015
points
Exactly, Rema. I must admit that was a really bad prediction from me as well as Man Utd's play. Swansea were much better team. Congrats to The Swans and also to West Ham and Crystal Palace for great performances against favorites. Slaven Bilic and Alan Pardew have been doing a pretty good job so far. So the transfer window has been closed and United decided to buy another two players on Deadline Day. Regan Poole is a player I've never heard about but he is an investment for the future and I'm really curious how he will develop. Buying Anthony Martial was a big shock to me mainly because of such a big money United paid for him. Another good example of the fact that Transfer Deadline Day determines transfer fees. For now I'm sceptical about this guy but the upcoming months will obviously tell us more about him and his skills. I just hope it wasn't a 'panic buy' and Van Gaal knows what he's doing. The most notable miss is Chicharito, I'm glad he left because he fully deserves to play every week. I wish him good luck and lots of goals for Bayer!
02/09/2015 22:50
Manchester United
146
Exactly, Rema. I must admit that was a really bad prediction from me as well as Man Utd's play. Swansea were much better team. Congrats to The Swans and also to West Ham and Crystal Palace for great performances against favorites. Slaven Bilic and Alan Pardew have been doing a pretty good job so far. So the transfer window has been closed and United decided to buy another two players on Deadline Day. Regan Poole is a player I've never heard about but he is an investment for the future and I'm really curious how he will develop. Buying Anthony Martial was a big shock to me mainly because of such a big money United paid for him. Another good example of the fact that Transfer Deadline Day determines transfer fees. For now I'm sceptical about this guy but the upcoming months will obviously tell us more about him and his skills. I just hope it wasn't a 'panic buy' and Van Gaal knows what he's doing. The most notable miss is Chicharito, I'm glad he left because he fully deserves to play every week. I wish him good luck and lots of goals for Bayer!
03/09/2015
points
I think that Van Gaal doesn't know what doing. He miss to buy Pedro (one goal and assist on his debut for Chelsea against West Brom) and I heard some speculation about Roys from Borussia Dortmund (one of the best offensive midfielder in the world). Man Utd haven't marksman who can score in every match (on the beginning of the season I heard gossip about Muller from Bayern). West Ham play wonderful against big teams (Arsenal and Liverpool) but that' isn't case against Leicester and AFC Bournemouth. I was delighted when I hear that Victor Moses was brought in West Ham (although on a loan) from Chelsea. Also I'm happy to see Song again in West Ham's midfield. I was hope for Charlie Austin join us, but that's not happen.
03/09/2015 12:26
West Ham United
538
I think that Van Gaal doesn't know what doing. He miss to buy Pedro (one goal and assist on his debut for Chelsea against West Brom) and I heard some speculation about Roys from Borussia Dortmund (one of the best offensive midfielder in the world). Man Utd haven't marksman who can score in every match (on the beginning of the season I heard gossip about Muller from Bayern). West Ham play wonderful against big teams (Arsenal and Liverpool) but that' isn't case against Leicester and AFC Bournemouth. I was delighted when I hear that Victor Moses was brought in West Ham (although on a loan) from Chelsea. Also I'm happy to see Song again in West Ham's midfield. I was hope for Charlie Austin join us, but that's not happen.
29/08/2015
points
Thank you guys once more for resolving all my doubts about the term and it's pleasure to hear it also in the podcast. I completely agree with you that the lack of promotion or relegation would make the Premier League much less interesting and that's why I'm not really keen on the MLS although more and more star players join the MLS teams making the league more attractive. But football in the United States is still developing so I think that might change in the future. When it comes to Transfer Deadline Day I reckon that for the clubs it isn't a really good idea to buy players then. First of all, such player doesn't take part in the team's pre-season preparations or matches and often has problems with acclimatization to his new team so the club doesn't have any benefit from him. I think, a good example of that is Fellaini in his first season for Man United. But the worst thing about the last day of transfer window is that it often determines amount of money paid by players. When a club is desperate to sign a particular footballer before the window ends they can pay any money for him. As a result the transfer fees has become extremenly high and now the clubs have to pay £30 million for a good (not great) player. For instance Man Utd had to break their transfer record to sign Dimityr Berbatov or Tottenham got £85 million (!) for Gareth Bale. For us supporters it's obviously a good idea since we like suprises and reading all these sometimes ridiculous speculations. I can't choose the best transfer Man United completed in this transfer window because every of 4 new players has brought something good to the team. Darmian is the right-back we've needed for years, Memphis is someone we've needed since Ronaldo's leaving, Bastian and Morgan have solved the problems with our central midfield. I admit that this is a pretty good transfer window for The Red Devils. Reffering to the match, I expect a lot of good actions and goals from both sides. I wouldn't mind if the final result was Swansea 2-3 Man Utd.
29/08/2015 17:54
Manchester United
146
Thank you guys once more for resolving all my doubts about the term and it's pleasure to hear it also in the podcast. I completely agree with you that the lack of promotion or relegation would make the Premier League much less interesting and that's why I'm not really keen on the MLS although more and more star players join the MLS teams making the league more attractive. But football in the United States is still developing so I think that might change in the future. When it comes to Transfer Deadline Day I reckon that for the clubs it isn't a really good idea to buy players then. First of all, such player doesn't take part in the team's pre-season preparations or matches and often has problems with acclimatization to his new team so the club doesn't have any benefit from him. I think, a good example of that is Fellaini in his first season for Man United. But the worst thing about the last day of transfer window is that it often determines amount of money paid by players. When a club is desperate to sign a particular footballer before the window ends they can pay any money for him. As a result the transfer fees has become extremenly high and now the clubs have to pay £30 million for a good (not great) player. For instance Man Utd had to break their transfer record to sign Dimityr Berbatov or Tottenham got £85 million (!) for Gareth Bale. For us supporters it's obviously a good idea since we like suprises and reading all these sometimes ridiculous speculations. I can't choose the best transfer Man United completed in this transfer window because every of 4 new players has brought something good to the team. Darmian is the right-back we've needed for years, Memphis is someone we've needed since Ronaldo's leaving, Bastian and Morgan have solved the problems with our central midfield. I admit that this is a pretty good transfer window for The Red Devils. Reffering to the match, I expect a lot of good actions and goals from both sides. I wouldn't mind if the final result was Swansea 2-3 Man Utd.
04/02/2016
points
Hi VerdMead96, thanks for all this explanation, you are the third expert here ;) you enrich discussion in this space!
04/02/2016 15:43
Newcastle United
3189
Hi VerdMead96, thanks for all this explanation, you are the third expert here ;) you enrich discussion in this space!
01/09/2015
points
From your comment I learn that phrase "for instance" is equal to phrase "for example".
01/09/2015 14:15
West Ham United
538
From your comment I learn that phrase "for instance" is equal to phrase "for example".
29/08/2015
points
I was good predictor for last gameweek. My miss was only in final result because this was goalless draw. I predict 1:0 for Manchester Utd. for this gameweek.
29/08/2015 07:28
West Ham United
538
I was good predictor for last gameweek. My miss was only in final result because this was goalless draw. I predict 1:0 for Manchester Utd. for this gameweek.