VAN GERWEN SLAMS PREMIER LEAGUE FORMAT

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is calling for a change to the Premier League format.

The eight-player major tournament operates on a knockout system, with each competitor facing off once in the quarter-finals during weeks 1-7 and again in weeks 9-15.

But the Dutchman believes it has made the event too predictable and the show less exciting for fans.

Van Gerwen wants a return to the old setup, with a round-robin league phase and seven mini-matches played each night.

He said: “I didn’t do too well last year but I also don’t like the format to be fair. Sometimes that doesn’t help me.

“I prefer the old format ahead of what we do now, you could involve eliminations or split it with this format for a few weeks then the old format again.

“Now, all the players play too many games against each other and otherwise people really look forward to a certain week.

“That night is going to be Luke and Luke or Luke and Michael instead of it happening every single week.”

World No.4 Van Gerwen has won 47 major titles during his illustrious career including three World Championship crowns.

‘Mighty Mike’ hit back after Luke Humphries lost the World Masters final and called teen sensation Luke Littler the ‘greatest ever’ darts player.

He added: “Maybe he said that in his emotion. Of course, there’s no shadow of a doubt, he’s a fantastic player and definitely one of the greatest players I ever seen.

“But to say he’s the greatest player of all, that’s a bit Uh.

“If he can continue this for another 10 years or 15 years, I’ll say yes, he’s right, but first let him do it.

“If I purely look to what he’s doing now, and his capability, he’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen.

“But you need to look over a longer distance. I think he can, but I want to see his hunger over the next five, six, seven years.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.