"An upgraded version of Benito van de Pas" - Matthew Edgar states 'massively talented' Gian van Veen will have 'short career' in darts

Gian van Veen is seen as one of darts' brightest prodigies. He has already won a title on the PDC circuit, is the reigning World Youth Champion, and has beaten some of the best in the world on numerous occasions.

He caught the attention of many by reaching the European Championships semi-finals in 2023, losing out to eventual runner-up James Wade in a tight match. He made his first European Tour final the next year, losing out in a last-leg decider to Michael van Gerwen. The Dutchman again lost to the three-time World Champion earlier this year in the final of the German Darts Grand Prix.

He would break barriers for the first time in his career by clinching his first PDC title back in March, winning Players Championships 6, defeating world number one Luke Humphries in the final. He has made back-to-back major quarter-finals at the UK Open and the World Matchplay.

On the Mission Darts Podcast, Matthew Edgar and Andy Cornwall were discussing fellow countryman Wessel Nijman before the former tour card holder rated him with the best. "I’d probably say Wessel Nijman’s in the B grade right now. Your A grade is Littler, Humphries, Rock, Van Veen – probably Gerwyn Price as well," Edgar said.

Cornwall shared his doubts on the young Dutchman, as he said: "Van Veen’s a good one for me. I like talking about him because we often ask: can you maintain a level? And he doesn’t seem able to. He’s got this phenomenal A-game – he just beat Littler again, didn’t he? When I see him play like that, I think: well, he wins the tournament. But then he’ll drop off to an 89 average and you go, why?"

"There’s a pattern. He doesn’t do it in the Matchplay," Edgar said. "Didn’t do it at the start of this European Tour. At first it was 100, 100, 100, 104, 101 – all the way through. But on the days where you need to go multiple matches, that’s when the drop happens. That’s the pattern I’m starting to see. That’s why I said a while ago I think Van Veen will have a very good career, but maybe shorter than expected. I actually compare him to an upgraded version of Benito van de Pas. Very similar story."

Cornwall recognised the talent, but agreed with his co-host. "Definitely upgraded. He’s massively talented – he will win titles. I just don’t see him still at the top in five years’ time," Cornwall said. "He needs to learn how to get through those long days, doesn't he? And interesting that you say that because I don't think he's probably had as much Pro Tour players champs success as maybe he should have."

"Don't think he's had as much successful stop as he should have," Edgar said. "Because he's a very, very talented player. He will. He's not saying he's not going to go do it. He's going to go and have a fantastic career of titles. I just don't see him there in five years."

Van Veen will head into a busy period as a one to watch, with him hunting down his first major title.