Chelsea win the Premier League!
Chelsea win the Premier League!
In this week's Premier Skills English podcast, Rich and Jack talk about the latest news from the Premier League and we talk a lot about Chelsea, who have won this season's Premier League title. We also ask you to write about your favourite sports club or team. This week, the language focus is on different tenses you use when you are describing something. As always, we have a new football phrase for you to guess and announce our Player of the Week. Enjoy!
Vocabulary
How much did you understand?
In the podcast, Rich and Jack used some words and phrases that might be new for you. You can see two examples here:
Michy Batshuayi got the title-winning goal to spark wild celebrations in the stands!
John Terry, also got on the scoresheet in what could have been his farewell match for the club.
There were a few more tricky words in the podcast. Can you remember all of them? Try the activity below, then, listen to the podcast again to hear how we used the words in context. This can really help with understanding.
Activity 1
Learning
Language - Describing a sports club
In this week's podcast, Jack and Rich spoke a lot about Chelsea's Premier League success. They also described the football club in terms of its name, location, history, team and fans. Take a look at these sentences which Jack and Rich used in the podcast. Take a look at the different forms or tenses (in bold) we use to talk about different things connected to the club.
Their full name is Chelsea Football Club, but to their fans, they are the Blues.
Chelsea is in West London, which is in south-east England.
Chelsea was founded over 100 years ago but Chelsea's greatest success has been in more recent times.
The team is playing really well.
Eden Hazard and Diego Costa have had amazing seasons.
Chelsea fans will create an amazing atmosphere for the last game of the season.
In the activity below, take a look at the sentences and decide which verb forms you should use to complete the sentences.
Activity 2
Learning
Language - Different forms
In the previous the activity, you saw that we can use a variety of grammatical forms (sometimes called 'tenses') to talk about a sports club. These are the examples you saw and how we create them:
Present simple: we use the present simple with the base form of the verb, e.g. 'go', 'play' etc. In the third form (it/she/he) we add -s or -es. The verb 'to be' is irregular and follows the pattern; 'I am', 'You/we/they are' 'He/she/it is'.
Present continuous: we use present continuous with the verb 'to be' + the verb in its base form + -ing.
The passive: we use the passive with the verb 'to be' (in all its forms) + the past participle e.g. (go/went/gone or take/took/taken).
Present perfect: we use the present perfect with 'have or has' + past participle e.g. (go/went/gone or take/took/taken).
Future with 'will': we can talk about the future by using 'will' plus the base form of the verb, e.g. 'go', 'play' etc.
Look again at the sentences about Chelsea in the previous section. Can you match the sentences to the grammatical forms above? Look at how the grammar changes forms think about why the verb forms change.
Learning
Language - Describe your favourite sports club or team
In the comments section below, describe your favourite sports team or club. You can describe another Premier League team or your favourite team in your country. If you prefer, you could describe a team that plays a different sport or you could describe a club that you are part of or used to be part of. Think about what Rich and Jack spoke about in the podcast before you write your answer. We want to see different grammatical forms in your answers. Use the table below for ideas and (possible) grammatical forms to use when writing about those things. Think about topic and think about form!
| Topic | Form |
| name/nickname | present simple/passive |
| location | present simple |
| history | past simple/passive |
| team/players | present continuous/present perfect |
| success | past simple/present perfect |
| fans | present simple |
| next season | future with 'will' |
Transcript
Champions - Chelsea!
Jack: Chelsea are this season’s Premier League Champions!
Rich: It’s been an amazing turnaround, hasn’t it?
Jack: From 10th last season to Champions this season. Yes an amazing turnaround.
Rich: Yes, brilliant!
Welcome
Rich: Hello my name’s Rich
Jack: and I’m Jack
Rich: and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast
Jack: Where we talk about football and help you with your English.
Jack: What’s happening this week, Rich?
Rich: In this week’s show, we’re going to talk about Chelsea - the new Premier League Champions. We’re going to talk a bit more about the club, its players and its history.
Jack: And in this week’s language focus we’re going to look at some adjectives to describe Chelsea’s win and we’re going to ask you to describe another football team from the Premier League or a sports team from from your country.
Jack: But first, let’s look at the Premier League headlines.
Headlines
Rich: Chelsea win Premier League for the fifth time!
Jack: Chelsea won the Premier League title with two matches left to play by beating West Brom 1-0 last Friday. The substitute, Michy Batshuayi got the title-winning goal to spark wild celebrations in the stands!
Rich: Chelsea bring the party back to Stamford Bridge!
Jack: Just three days after winning the Premier League title Chelsea had a home game against Watford. Chelsea won the match 4-3 with a late goal from Cesc Fabregas. It was a thrilling match and Chelsea’s club captain, John Terry, also got on the scoresheet in what could have been his farewell match for the club.
Rich: Champions League places go down to the wire!
Jack: In other Premier League news, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool are fighting to qualify for the Champions League on the final day of the season with three points separating the three clubs.
Rich: Wow! Fantastic celebrations at Chelsea. They will be given the Premier League trophy in their final match this weekend against Sunderland.
Jack: Another party for the fans! The race for the Champions League places is exciting, too! We could even get an extra match!
Rich: What do you mean?
Jack: Well, it’s a bit complicated but two out of City, Arsenal and Liverpool could finish on the same points, the same goal difference and the same amount of goals scored.
Rich: And if that happens there will be a play-off? An extra match?
Jack: Yes, exactly. Some of the results that will make this happen are a 1-1 draw for Arsenal against Everton and Liverpool losing 2-0 against Middlesbrough or City drawing 3-3 at Watford and Liverpool beating Middlesbrough 3-0.
Rich: An extra game. That would be a bonus. Right, let’s get back to Chelsea!
Topic Focus
Jack: Their full name is Chelsea football Club, but to their fans, they are the Blues.
Rich: And now, they have another name... they are the Champions!
Jack: So, Chelsea have won the Premier League for a fifth time.
Rich: Yeah... Only Manchester Utd have won more Premier League titles than the Blues. So... what do we know about Chelsea?
Jack: It might be difficult to find on a map.
Rich: Chelsea isn’t a city so you won’t see it on a map of the UK. Chelsea is an area of London. Chelsea is actually one of five Premier League clubs in London, in the south-east of England. None of the London football clubs are actually called London, although West Ham now play at London Stadium.
Jack: Chelsea is in West London and is one of the richest areas of the UK. It is said that Chelsea fans are the richest in England.
Rich: Chelsea’s current owner is Roman Abramovich who is from Russia but is a Chelsea resident, but the club has a long history. It was founded in 1905 after two brothers bought Stamford Bridge.
Jack: But did you know that Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s stadium, isn’t actually in Chelsea.
Rich: No, I didn’t.
Jack: It’s actually in Fulham which is another area in West London. Traditionally, Chelsea’s strongest rivalry is not with Tottenham or Arsenal but Fulham. Fulham v Chelsea is the West London Derby but Fulham are not in the Premier League at the moment.
Rich: No, they missed out on promotion this season. So, that’s where Chelsea play. Let’s talk more about the team.
Jack: They play in blue and as we said earlier, their nickname is the Blues. It’s surprising how many teams are called after a colour; like Liverpool - they’re called the Reds. I prefer something stronger like the Gunners.
Rich: Well, that’s because you’re an Arsenal fan. How do you think Chelsea have turned around their fortunes so quickly. They finished 10th last season.
Jack: The manager has been one big difference. Antonio Conte has arrived and just got the team winning. The team is playing really well. I’m actually a bit worried about Arsenal’s chances next week.
Rich: Yes, if Chelsea win their last match they will have won 30 matches this season. A Premier League record. Conte also changed the team’s formation.
Jack: Yes, playing three centre backs has definitely worked for them. Another reason, is that Eden Hazard and Diego Costa rediscovered their form from two seasons ago.
Rich: Very true and buying N’Golo Kante from Leicester was a master stroke.
Jack: So, the players, the manager and the system. Three good reasons that Chelsea are Premier League Champions.
Rich: Chelsea fans must be over the moon!
Jack: Yes, the fans will create an amazing atmosphere for Chelsea’s final game of the season. The fans will sing and chant for the full 90 minutes. Their favourite song is ‘Blue is the Colour’. I’m sure we will hear that one.
Rich: And they’ve got the FA Cup Final next week, too. They could do the double.
Jack: Yes, maybe but I think Arsenal will win that!
Rich: Of course, Jack.
Language Focus
Jack: We want you to tell us about a sports club in your country. To do this, we want you to talk about 5 things.
Rich: The first is the club name. What’s the club’s full name and what do fans call them.
Jack: In the UK, sports clubs always have nicknames. There are lots of ways to say what a club is called: you can say - ‘they are called’ or ‘their name is’ or ‘their nickname is’ or even ‘they are known as’.
Rich: In my village, I’m known as el inteligente!
Jack: Really? I’d never have guessed.
Rich: The second thing we want you to tell us is where the club is. Is the club in a big city or small town. Is it in the north, south, east or west. Is it on the coast or is it in the mountains. We want to know something about the location.
Jack: The third thing we want you to tell us is the history of the club. Chelsea was founded over 100 years ago but Chelsea’s greatest success has been in more recent times. They have won the Premier League five times and in 2012 won the Champions League, beating Manchester Utd in the final.
Rich: Pay attention here as you’ll need to use a passive form. Earlier, I said: Chelsea was founded in 1905. If you want to say who founded the club, you need to use the preposition ‘by’. Arsenal was founded in 1886 by workers from a munitions factory.
Jack: Liverpool was founded in 1892 by John Houlding after he got into an argument with Everton. I looked that up on wikipedia.
Rich: I like that. He got into an argument and said ‘stuff you, I’ll make my own football club’.
Jack: Perhaps he didn’t like the colour blue?
Rich: Ah! That brings us to the next point. We want you to tell us about the club colours. What colours do the fans wear and what colours do the players play in.
Jack: We use the preposition in: Chelsea play in blue and Liverpool play in red.
Rich: Lastly, we want you tell us about the club now. How is the club doing? Who’s had the best season?
Jack: We’re talking about now so you’ll have to use the present. I said: Chelsea are playing really well. How’s your team doing?
Rich: As the season is near the end, we can use the present perfect to talk about players’ performances.
Jack: Eden Hazard and Diego Costa have had amazing seasons. Who’s had the best season at your club? Has anyone really stood out?
Rich: Tell us five things about your favourite sports club in the comments section and remember, if you want us to correct your language, write ‘correct me’ at the beginning of your comment.
Player of the Week
Rich: There were lots of great performances in the Premier League last week. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have been great for Arsenal and Gabriel de Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne brilliant for City.
Jack: But this week, instead of a player of the week we’ve chosen our team and manager of the season.
Rich: That’s right! Antonio Conte’s Chelsea have been brilliant. From Thibaut Courtois in goal to Diego Costa up front!
Jack: We’ve got an article on how they won the Premier League for you to have a look at. There is a link on the side of this page.
Can you work out this week’s football phrase?
Rich: Have you got a football phrase for us this week?
Jack: Yes, I have, but first, last week’s football phrase. The phrase was to hang up your boots. It’s an idiom that means to stop doing something permanently or to retire from a sport. Steven Gerrard hung up his boots last year.
Rich: Well done to Liubomyr and Numrut from Ukraine, Kwesimanifest from Ghana, Elghoul from Algeria, Shobonenok from Russia, Adam Mamado from Sudan, and Emir from Bosnia. You all got the right answer!
Rich: What’s this week’s phrase?
Jack: This week’s phrase is to **** *** ******. It’s a relevant phrase this week because Chelsea will be given the Premier League title this weekend. The verb is to move something to a higher position. The Premier League will give Chelsea the ****** and John Terry will **** *** ****** above his head.
Rich: Congratulations to Chelsea once again!
Jack: Before we go we want to tell you about this week’s fan of the week! It’s Hakan from Turkey.
Rich: Hakan’s favourite Premier League team is Leicester City and he’s a big Galatasaray fan in Turkey.
Jack: It’s great to have you on the website, Hakan and to learn more about your life in Turkey. If you want to know more about Hakan - head over to the new section - fan of the week - in the fans section - there is a link on the side of the page.
Rich: And if you want to be a Fan of the Week, just send us an email or a comment and we will help you put an article together in English. We would love to get a Premier League fan from every country in the world!
Jack: Right, that’s all we have time for this week.
Rich: Don’t forget to write your answers to our questions and make a guess at our football phrase in the comments below.
Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football!
Quiz
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Comment
What do you think?
In this week’s podcast, Jack and Rich spoke about Chelsea's success this season and described Chelsea FC in more detail.
Did Chelsea deserve to win the title? Are you happy that Chelsea won the Premier League?
What do you think were the most important moments/things/matches that won Chelsea the Premier League title?
Jack and Rich asked you to think of another sports team. Can you describe this team?
Remember to write your guess at this week's football phrase and the questions above in the comments section below.
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Comments
19/05/2021
points
MY FAVOURITE TEAM
1-Club full name in English is “BEŞİKTAŞ Gymnastics Club” but to their fans, they are “”Black Eagles” Nickname is "BJK"
2-Club is in the largest city of my country İstanbul. It's located in the European side on the coast. As you know İstanbul situated on two continents. Regions are described with continent rather than directions. Team play in black and white like the colour of my team in U.K.Tottenham.
3- Beşiktaş was founded in 1903. Therefore nineteenth day of march is celebrated team anniversary. Team are having an excellent season that won both league title and Turkey cup at the same time in 2021. It’s a greatest success. This is one of best season. Player Atiba Hutchinson
19/05/2021 10:40
Tottenham Hotspur
5558
MY FAVOURITE TEAM
1-Club full name in English is “BEŞİKTAŞ Gymnastics Club” but to their fans, they are “”Black Eagles” Nickname is "BJK"
2-Club is in the largest city of my country İstanbul. It's located in the European side on the coast. As you know İstanbul situated on two continents. Regions are described with continent rather than directions. Team play in black and white like the colour of my team in U.K.Tottenham.
3- Beşiktaş was founded in 1903. Therefore nineteenth day of march is celebrated team anniversary. Team are having an excellent season that won both league title and Turkey cup at the same time in 2021. It’s a greatest success. This is one of best season. Player Atiba Hutchinson
17/05/2020
points
This week's football phrase is ( to lift a trophy )
17/05/2020 19:18
Manchester United
6539
This week's football phrase is ( to lift a trophy )
17/05/2020
points
Göztepe Spor Kulübü also known as Göztepe, is a Turkish sports club located in the Güzelyalı neighborhood of İzmir.
The "SK" refers to sports club, as besides football, the club also has departments in fencing, handball, sailing, swimming, and windsurfing.
The club was founded in 1925 and my favourite player in the club is Alpaslan Öztürk
The club plays in red and yellow that looks a bit like Manchester United in England
17/05/2020 19:18
Manchester United
6539
Göztepe Spor Kulübü also known as Göztepe, is a Turkish sports club located in the Güzelyalı neighborhood of İzmir.
The "SK" refers to sports club, as besides football, the club also has departments in fencing, handball, sailing, swimming, and windsurfing.
The club was founded in 1925 and my favourite player in the club is Alpaslan Öztürk
The club plays in red and yellow that looks a bit like Manchester United in England
17/05/2020
points
I think winning the big games and focusing on the small games as well was the key to success
17/05/2020 19:14
Manchester United
6539
I think winning the big games and focusing on the small games as well was the key to success
17/05/2020
points
Chelsea deserved to win the title because they were incredible in most games of the season but I am not happy by that because I support Manchester United
But as sportsmanship , congratulations to The Blues fans
Well deserved !!
17/05/2020 19:13
Manchester United
6539
Chelsea deserved to win the title because they were incredible in most games of the season but I am not happy by that because I support Manchester United
But as sportsmanship , congratulations to The Blues fans
Well deserved !!
12/09/2017
points
Would someone mind correcting me?
12/09/2017 13:03
Liverpool
2903
Would someone mind correcting me?
06/07/2017
points
Actually i do not watch the Palestinian football and i do not watch the league in the country where i live(U.A.E).
06/07/2017 11:13
Liverpool
3705
Actually i do not watch the Palestinian football and i do not watch the league in the country where i live(U.A.E).
06/07/2017
points
I think the match that Chelsea defeated Man City 3-1 was a transfer point for them.
06/07/2017 11:12
Liverpool
3705
I think the match that Chelsea defeated Man City 3-1 was a transfer point for them.
06/07/2017
points
Yes they did,actually i wanted Liverpool to win the title but I admit that Chelsea played better than the other teams and deserved the trophy.
06/07/2017 11:10
Liverpool
3705
Yes they did,actually i wanted Liverpool to win the title but I admit that Chelsea played better than the other teams and deserved the trophy.
06/07/2017
points
Hello Jack
Actually i just wanted to correct that information,Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich in the final of UCL not Man United.
06/07/2017 11:07
Liverpool
3705
Hello Jack
Actually i just wanted to correct that information,Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich in the final of UCL not Man United.
08/06/2017
points
correct me
Chelsa deserve to won the title.My favorite team is Manchester United,and Nemanja Vidić played for Manchester.He is my favorite player and J love that type of player.He played with passion,and he was very committed to Manchester United.He started careerin Red star Belgrade,then he moved to Spartac Moscow and finaly to Manchester United.
08/06/2017 09:00
Manchester United
2663
correct me
Chelsa deserve to won the title.My favorite team is Manchester United,and Nemanja Vidić played for Manchester.He is my favorite player and J love that type of player.He played with passion,and he was very committed to Manchester United.He started careerin Red star Belgrade,then he moved to Spartac Moscow and finaly to Manchester United.
25/05/2017
points
I Correct me
The Premier League is finished, It has been a fantastic seasonn. I hope we enjoy another great season of 2017-2018, but we have to wait till August.
I'm not happy nor sad about Chelsea winning the PL. However they definitely deserve the title as the collected the most points. Chelsea players have been brilliant througout all season. Hazard, Cante, Costa and the rest. But I think the manager Antonio Conte was the difference, because almost the same players finished 10th last season and now the are the champions. Gongratulatons to all Chelsea FC fans I hope Liverpool to win the PL next season.
25/05/2017 18:03
Liverpool
2903
I Correct me
The Premier League is finished, It has been a fantastic seasonn. I hope we enjoy another great season of 2017-2018, but we have to wait till August.
I'm not happy nor sad about Chelsea winning the PL. However they definitely deserve the title as the collected the most points. Chelsea players have been brilliant througout all season. Hazard, Cante, Costa and the rest. But I think the manager Antonio Conte was the difference, because almost the same players finished 10th last season and now the are the champions. Gongratulatons to all Chelsea FC fans I hope Liverpool to win the PL next season.
25/05/2017
points
My favourite club is Al-Hilal FC and their nickname is The Blue Waves. They play in blue and the club stadium is called the grave (as we grave our opposition here). However, this isn't a fomal name, it is common among the club fans. The club is located in Omdurman City and it's one of five clubs from the capital. We are not doing well at the moment as we drew 2 times including a disappointing 1-1 draw with our city rivals El-Merriekh in the same group of the African Champions League last-16-group-stages this season. We are the leaders in our domestic league, but still looking nervously over our shoulders as teams getting closer! Al-Hilal is the team to have won the most league titles including the league and cup double last season.
25/05/2017 17:27
Liverpool
2903
My favourite club is Al-Hilal FC and their nickname is The Blue Waves. They play in blue and the club stadium is called the grave (as we grave our opposition here). However, this isn't a fomal name, it is common among the club fans. The club is located in Omdurman City and it's one of five clubs from the capital. We are not doing well at the moment as we drew 2 times including a disappointing 1-1 draw with our city rivals El-Merriekh in the same group of the African Champions League last-16-group-stages this season. We are the leaders in our domestic league, but still looking nervously over our shoulders as teams getting closer! Al-Hilal is the team to have won the most league titles including the league and cup double last season.
22/05/2017
points
After five years down in the amator level, RCK my favourite club has got his way back to the Second Professional League in Algeria.
RCK stands for Raed Chabab Kouba, a club founded in 1946 in the same date as its neighbour NA Hussein Dey. They are both Algiers suburbs. They were founded for only the indigenous population by the forbiden PPA, a political party which fight for the end of colonialism.
After some years the two clubs and other local teams ended playing football from 1956 to 1962 the independance year. Some players became resistant and died during the war against French colonialism.
When Algeria became independant the great player Mustapha Zitouni who left Monaco during the independance war to play for FLN team joined RCK as manager and player. Great days when his team played the cup final in 1966 against the great CRBelcourt with Lalmas.
Last season thanks to Metref and his playmate RCK will be in its deserved level.
22/05/2017 20:47
Manchester City
3988
After five years down in the amator level, RCK my favourite club has got his way back to the Second Professional League in Algeria.
RCK stands for Raed Chabab Kouba, a club founded in 1946 in the same date as its neighbour NA Hussein Dey. They are both Algiers suburbs. They were founded for only the indigenous population by the forbiden PPA, a political party which fight for the end of colonialism.
After some years the two clubs and other local teams ended playing football from 1956 to 1962 the independance year. Some players became resistant and died during the war against French colonialism.
When Algeria became independant the great player Mustapha Zitouni who left Monaco during the independance war to play for FLN team joined RCK as manager and player. Great days when his team played the cup final in 1966 against the great CRBelcourt with Lalmas.
Last season thanks to Metref and his playmate RCK will be in its deserved level.
21/05/2017
points
Chelsea showed character this season. I would be happy if Arsenal had won the title, but it doesn't mean I'm sad about it. It's been a thrilling season and I'm always happy when I'm watching the PL, Championship or FA Cup (can't wait to see my gunners in the final).. Also, I have to admit that Spurs were the most interesting team to watch this season, so many goals, and what's most important, they didn't quit untill the very end. Congratulations to the vice champions as well.
21/05/2017 17:23
Arsenal
3557
Chelsea showed character this season. I would be happy if Arsenal had won the title, but it doesn't mean I'm sad about it. It's been a thrilling season and I'm always happy when I'm watching the PL, Championship or FA Cup (can't wait to see my gunners in the final).. Also, I have to admit that Spurs were the most interesting team to watch this season, so many goals, and what's most important, they didn't quit untill the very end. Congratulations to the vice champions as well.
21/05/2017
points
The phrase is to ''**** *** ******''
21/05/2017 05:52
Liverpool
2903
The phrase is to ''**** *** ******''
20/05/2017
points
Consistency won chelsea the league.
20/05/2017 19:40
Manchester United
4779
Consistency won chelsea the league.
20/05/2017
points
**** *** ******
20/05/2017 14:01
Manchester United
4779
**** *** ******
19/05/2017
points
When you talked about club colours I wondered that there are only few English professional clubs which colour is green. I checked and if I’m not mistaken only Plymouth Argyle and Yeovil Town are playing in green. Both clubs in this season played in 4th tier of English football, so there were no green clubs in three top divisions of English football system! Also Plymouth Argyle and Yeovil Town have something in common, they both are from south-west of England. Why green is so ‘unpopular colour’ in English football? Is it because of Ireland?
19/05/2017 17:07
Watford
4417
When you talked about club colours I wondered that there are only few English professional clubs which colour is green. I checked and if I’m not mistaken only Plymouth Argyle and Yeovil Town are playing in green. Both clubs in this season played in 4th tier of English football, so there were no green clubs in three top divisions of English football system! Also Plymouth Argyle and Yeovil Town have something in common, they both are from south-west of England. Why green is so ‘unpopular colour’ in English football? Is it because of Ireland?
19/05/2017
points
I think that the phrase is to ‘**** *** ******’.
19/05/2017 16:50
Watford
4417
I think that the phrase is to ‘**** *** ******’.