"For now, just let the kid play": Phil Taylor gives frank verdict if Luke Littler can reach 16 World Title haul

After it was quipped to him about maybe reaching Phil Taylor's haul of 16 World Championships, Luke Littler said he could possibly achieve it. But 'The Power' himself has told him just to play and not worry about any future records.

Taylor said that ultimately he has all the time in the world to reach what he wants to and remarked that he didn't win a World title himself until his 30's so while the sky is the limit, caution does need to be exercised about shooting him to the moon too quickly.

This after Littler sealed a maiden PDC World Darts Championship earlier this week thrashing Michael van Gerwen in a superb final and a showcase of the frightening talents of the 17-year-old.

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“It’s entirely up to Luke how long he plays, how dedicated he remains and many titles he wins," he said as per The Mirror.

“For now, just let the kid play. He’s a world champion at 17 years old, the youngest to do it by a mile, and he’s just brilliant. When people ask how many world titles he can win, don’t forget he has all the time in the world if he wants it."

“I was nearly 30 when I won my first world championship, and Paul Lim won more than twice as much as me for hitting a nine-darter as I got for winning the whole thing. To win 16 of them in a 23-year period took a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifices.

“Only Luke himself knows, deep down, if he is prepared to put in the hours, and it’s up to him whether he wins another one, or five, or 15, 16, 17 and goes past me - but he’s young enough to do it.

“Let’s enjoy him, let’s celebrate a kid who is the best in the world at what he does, and worry later about how much he’s achieved when he decides to stop. But if he’s still playing at 40, it will mean he’s won a lot more.”

The comparisons to Phil Taylor are already running rife for Luke Littler.

But it isn't advice on the oche really that Taylor gives as he says he is still in touch with Littler's parents, it is more on footwear and sleep that he derives some much needed help.

“If I could give him one piece of advice, it wouldn’t be anything to do with his darts or the way he navigates his way around the board.

“I would tell him, ‘Shoes - if you’re not standing comfortably on the oche, you’re not going to hit a target the size of your little fingernail, so make sure your shoes fit perfectly and take two or three pairs with you everywhere.’

“And sleep - make sure you get enough rest. I still take a mattress topper with me everywhere I go because some hotels beds are like sleeping in the middle of the road. Again, your darts won’t go where you want them to land if you are bleary-eyed after a restless night.”

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