"How much effort is he going to put into his darts and how much he wants it?" - Michael van Gerwen faces his latest challenge on the PDC Tour

Vincent van der Voort believes Michael van Gerwen can still return to his absolute best, but also realises that the darts landscape has changed considerably. Where his close friend once knew almost for certain that he would win a tournament when playing his best darts, he now faces a new generation of elite players.

According to Van der Voort, the rise of Luke Littler has changed the balance of power in particular. In an extensive interview with Online Darts, the former professional discussed Van Gerwen’s future, Littler’s dominance and the changes to the PDC calendar.

Van der Voort was asked whether Van Gerwen could ever reach the level he produced during his absolute peak in 2015 and 2016. The former professional did not want to give a definitive answer, but he still has complete faith in his compatriot’s ability.

"That is really difficult to say. I would say yes, but I'm also his friend. So now I would, I think he can, but it changed because back then he knew. And when he was at his best, he knew he was going to win," Van der Voort said.

Van der Voort believes the mental aspect is a major difference from the period when Van Gerwen dominated the darts world. At that time, the Dutchman was convinced of his own superiority, whereas today he must take into account an opponent capable of reaching at least the same level.

"Now we've got, with Luke Littler, somebody who's at his best, similar to him, maybe a little bit better. We don't know. So then there's a different mindset as well. If you go into a tournament and you know, “If I'm playing well, I'm going to win,” or you go into the tournament and you're still in doubt, 'Am I the best player?'"

Nevertheless, Van der Voort is convinced that Van Gerwen still possesses the quality to return to the absolute top. In his view, the motivation of the three-time world champion will be decisive.

"I mean, the hunger has to come back for winning titles, to competing with him and with all the players. And it's all up to him now. How much effort is he going to put into his darts and how much he wants it?"

According to his close friend, there is no question about Van Gerwen’s talent. “We all know his talent. Michael is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best players ever. So if he wants it, if he really wants it, he will be back to the best player he can be right now. And if that's the level of 2016, 2017, I don't know."

Luke Littler’s dominance was also discussed at length. The young Englishman is once again among the leading favourites for the World Darts Championship and could reach his fourth consecutive World Championship final.

Van der Voort believes the longer match format gives Littler a significant advantage. According to the Dutchman, his rivals face an exceptionally difficult problem to solve.

“100%. He showed that if it's above 20 legs, then he lost one match in his life. That was against Humphries in his first final,” Van der Voort stated.

The former professional believes other players must change their approach when facing Littler. “The other players all have a massive thing to figure out: how to beat him in the long format and ordinary format. Because when he comes to a tournament that really is interesting to him, he wins."

Van der Voort also has a clear message for the competition facing ‘The Nuke’. “That starts by not being a fanboy, but just go after him and just give him everything you have. And if he's better than you, then you've got nothing to blame yourself for.”

Alongside sporting performances, Van der Voort also discussed changes to the PDC calendar. For example, France will host a European Tour event, something the Dutchman did not immediately expect.

“I was surprised by France because I would have expected Spain first, because Spain is bigger. The Dutch influence is bigger in Spain than it is in France. So, big surprise for me there, because we played Pro Tours in Spain back in the day and we've been there quite a while.”

Despite that, Van der Voort welcomes the expansion. “So for me, it was a surprise that it went to France, but it's very good. Another country.”

He also approves of the arrival of a new major tournament on mainland Europe. Van der Voort believes the PDC should organise far more major ranking events outside the United Kingdom.

“One hundred per cent. More ranking events should take place on television outside the United Kingdom. The sport has grown enormously, but almost all major ranking events and the other tournaments are still played in the United Kingdom. The European Championship is the exception. That is why an additional tournament is a very good thing.”

According to Van der Voort, the PDC could even consider moving existing majors to other countries. “I think, for instance, why don't you go for it with the Grand Prix? Leicester is not iconic or something. Don't get me wrong, everybody in Leicester, I'm not going to say anything bad about you guys. Not going to happen. But if you go to Europe, then it's something else. Make it more global."

Another major change is the expansion of the European Championship to 48 players. Van der Voort welcomes the decision, although he does have one reservation. “Of course it's a good thing. I mean, to give the players an opportunity to play on TV is always good. So it's better, but on the other hand, it should be something that you achieve to be in, on a big tournament. But I think 48 is good. I mean, I would rather have 64 then, but 48 is okay."

The Players Championship Finals are also being expanded, allowing 128 players to compete. Van der Voort understands the benefits, but also sees a possible drawback. “They do it, of course, for the top players that don't have to go to the Players Championship, the Pro Tours. You have to play a few and then they're in anyway. So in that way, it's good because you have the best players."

However, he believes the expansion will make it increasingly attractive for top players to skip floor tournaments. “On the other hand, it's also, like you think, you're going to see a lot of players skipping now, more than ever. So is that a good thing? I don't know.”

For players outside the absolute elite, the expansion creates extra opportunities to showcase themselves to sponsors. “For every player, it's good because you have an opportunity to play for TV. So you can tell your sponsors, “I'm on the UK Open, I'm on the Players Championship Finals, World Championship.” So you get three, four tournaments that you're going to be on TV. So you have to give them something back for the money they sponsor you for."

Van der Voort does not believe it is fair that top players regularly face criticism when they skip certain tournaments. In his view, the international darts calendar has simply become too crowded to attend everything. "No, I don't think so. I mean, you have to — I was sitting with Michael last year and we said, if you want to play every tournament, you're going to be away from home 280 days or something. So it's ridiculous."

That is why he believes darts players, like elite athletes in other sports, should plan their schedules carefully. “So you have to see, like any other sport, you have to pick your programme. I'd stick to the programme.”

Van der Voort does criticise the way players can currently withdraw from events. According to him, this often happens far too late, creating problems for the organisers and other competitors.

"What they do wrong with the PDC, what I think is that you can skip a tournament too late. If you say in advance, “I'm not going,” then it's no problem. But now they're skipping it after the draw or just before the draw, and it makes it all very difficult."

The Dutchman sees a possible solution in combining Players Championships with European Tour weekends. “So, in my opinion, if you want to invest a little bit more in darts, go and play Pro Tours where the Euro Tour is.”

He would also like to see qualifying tournaments held closer to the main event. “You play there to qualify a day before, so everybody knows you're going to be in or not. I don't dislike that. But it's very difficult with the Premier League and everything. Of course, yeah, I understand. It makes it very difficult, but it would be so much fairer because sometimes now people are playing a Euro Tour qualifier two months in advance of the tournament."

Van der Voort is also frustrated by the way ranking prize money is processed. “If you qualify, the ranking money goes on straight away. But it should be going on when the tournament starts.”

According to Van der Voort, this can create a distorted picture of the actual balance of power in the rankings. “So it's all kind of things. And two months in advance, you're not knowing how well you're going to play in two months.”