The debate has continued to roar on around whether Michael van Gerwen is back to being the best player in the world and according to darts commentator, Chris Murphy who spends most of the year on PDC duty, he believes he is.
ADVERTISEMENT
Murphy believes the surgery and injury helped him pressure wise while still not being 100%.
"I think he maybe half expected that it might take a while for him to get back to his best. Maybe we didn't see him at his best at the World Matchplay," said Murphy to Online Darts.
"It's the probably the first few months that he's played in a decade without real pressure because by announcing the operation and injury, he'd taken a lot of pressure off himself and rather being the man with the target on the back, people are questioning him, people think he's the underdog and maybe that played into his hands."
"People are still questioning him and you've got to look at him now, he's just won the World Series event. I think I have to say right now Van Gerwen is back to being the best player in the world. He's still got another 10-20% to add on."
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
🗣 @ChrisMurphy180 on Michael van Gerwen's return to form. And that players will have to look at their lifestyles "I think I have to say right now van Gerwen is back to being the BEST player in the world"
And lots more
Listen in full now 🎥👇🏻
youtu.be/nhL-MlW2mnQ