VAN GERWEN PREMIER LEAGUE PLACE UNDER THREAT

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN missing out on the Premier League would be “unthinkable” as fears grow over his place in the competition.

Mighty Mike sits in fourth in this year’s competition with three weeks of the regular season remaining but he is just two points above Luke Humphries and Gian van Veen.

But the Dutchman is staring at a worrying slide down the rankings and could tumble as low as world No.20 after the 2026/27 World Championship. 

Van Gerwen is defending a huge chunk of prize money in the coming months, having reached the finals at both Ally Pally and the World Matchplay. 

The world No.4 has dominated the Premier League over the years, winning the title seven times and featuring in the competition every year since 2013 by virtue of his top-four Order of Merit ranking. 

But pundit Michael Bridge fears darts chiefs could be left facing a major dilemma next season if Van Gerwen fails to defend his prize money or boost his ranking through strong runs on the ProTour and in televised majors. 

He told the Love the Darts Podcast: “It’s unthinkable to have a Premier League without Michael van Gerwen, isn’t it?

“For me, it’s not just the thought of when we go to the Netherlands or Germany, people want him everywhere. 

“He’s still got that aura about him. I just think it would be something the PDC would have to ponder, wouldn’t they, if his form was poor and he was trickling down the Order of Merit.” 

Van Gerwen won Night One of the competition and has reached three nightly finals, underlining his strong level despite inconsistency in results.

Former pro Mark Webster believes Van Gerwen’s priorities lie beyond the weekly roadshow, but has still backed him to make Finals Night. 

He added: “The level has been there and it’s his line isn’t it, doing the right things at the right time.

“He’s just not had that timing to get a few more points. He’s done okay this season, I think, because obviously he’s missed a week, hasn’t he? 

“There’s been some big averages, but defeats in there.

“But it was sort of like this time last year, obviously there were issues as well. The Premier League campaign started to unwind for him.

“He needs a strong end, because obviously he wants to get himself in that top four, having missed it last year for only the second time.  

“So, for Michael, I think the attitude is good. I do think he’s spoken about it. 

“There are bigger priorities. He’d love to be in the top four of the Premier League, but he knows there’s a lot of prize money to defend.  

“I think he’s provisionally, with all his money taken off — I know he’ll win money back — but down at sort of 18 or 19 in the world. 

“So, I think that’s his bigger priority this year. But of course, he’s going to be competitive in the Premier League with what, just three weeks of league play left. 

“He can get himself to the playoffs and he’ll fancy himself against anyone in that final four.”

Van Gerwen returns to action this Thursday in Leeds and will face Luke Littler.

Image by Taylor Lanning.