DARTS ACE ADMITS MVG CANNOT WIN PREMIER LEAGUE
10/04/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
By Aaron Nijjar
VINCENT van der Voort believes Michael van Gerwen is no longer a serious contender for the Premier League crown this year.
‘The Green Machine’ has failed to win a tournament this year and has not made a final on the ProTour.
Seven-time Premier League winner MVG is coming off the back of consecutive first round losses at the Players Championship in Leicester earlier this week.
But the Dutchman has been plagued with injuries and illness throughout 2025.
And this has led to former UK Open finalist Van der Voort suggesting it’s unrealistic to consider Van Gerwen a genuine title threat this year.
He said on the Darts Draait Podcast: “At the moment, I think Michael has to pass.
“He had a virus earlier this year, then came back, then caught the flu again. Too many things are going wrong for him to build any sort of momentum.
“Every time it looks like he’s getting back on track, something happens and he’s set back again.
“He should focus on his ranking and becoming a more complete player before thinking about titles.
“A lot will have to change.
“He needs a few uninterrupted months to really find his rhythm again.
“Deep down, I think Michael knows that, even if he doesn’t always want to admit it.”
In the first of the Leicester double-header, MVG was dumped out in the opening round by a compatriot of his.
Three-time World champion Van Gerwen was beaten 6-5 in a thrilling encounter by Maik Kuivenhoven.
However, Van Gerwen could not make amends in the next event, falling to a stunning 6-3 defeat to Griffin, averaging just 89.
World No. 71 Griffin averaged 93, sealing the biggest victory of his career with a 14-darter, to condemn MvG to a second straight first-round exit.
The 47-time major winner’s early departure from the tournament signals the first time since 2011 that he has not reached the last four of any of the first 12 Players Championship events.
‘Mighty Mike’ is sat third in the Premier League table, with just a point between him and those breathing down his neck.
Van Gerwen will face Chris Dobey on Night 10 tonight (Thursday) in Manchester at the AO Arena.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
