NICHOLSON QUESTIONS ASPINALL OMISSION FROM PREMIER LEAGUE

PAUL NICHOLSON reckons Nathan Aspinall should have been included in the Premier League.

‘The Asp’ was snubbed from the weekly invitational tournament for the first time since 2022 despite picking up THREE European Tour titles last campaign.

World No14 Aspinall also reached the final of the Players Championship Finals back in November before falling to Luke Littler.

Former pro Nicholson believes Aspinall belonged in the lineup due to his impressive record in the event and his pull with fans in arenas.

He told the Love the Darts Podcast: “Aspinall — I had him in at [Stephen] Bunting’s expense, but because of how good he has been in previous Premier Leagues, he’s just an incredible player.

“He has made the playoffs before; he’s made the final before and has a really good, battle-hardened kind of style.

“So even if he loses his first three quarter-finals in the first three weeks, you know that he’s still going to scrape and claw his way into the running after about six to seven weeks.

“He was in my list. I just think that he’s the person that a lot of people who have already bought a ticket will expect to see.

“And after the season he’s had — winning three times on the European Tour and going deep in majors…

“But Aspinall, as we sit right here, he will be gutted that he’s not in that Premier League because he is a Premier League player.

“But watch out, Pro Tour — he’s going to take it out on everyone.”

Matt Edgar highlighted Aspinall’s grit compared to other former stars who have struggled.

He added: “I think Nathan Aspinall missing out is probably going to be one of the hardest decisions, because he’s just so universally loved.

“The form was really good last year, certainly towards the back end, making that Players Championship final.

“So, you could really make a case for Nathan Aspinall.

“I did have him in, and that’s going to hurt Nathan as well. He’s put a lot of work into his game.

“We saw him take that drop in the rankings after the World Matchplay. He’s got himself back inside the world’s top 16.

“He was one of those players where we’ve seen the likes of Peter Wright and Michael Smith drop out and you go, which direction are they going to go?

“He just worked harder.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.