I can assure you it is.
Unfortunately teachers can teach something as much as they like, but some people just do not retain it. Also, if you are mixing with people who speak like that (no offence Essex), this sort of thing becomes second nature.
I used to live in SE London where 'to the' was...
I really can't imagine he will be anywhere near our top earner. Yes, he's been good in the past but a player who was nowhere near the first team at Stoke is not exactly going to be inundated with offers.