James Wade advises Mike de Decker and other Premier League Darts absentees to "get on with it": "I know from personal experience what it's like"

The discussion over Premier League Darts selection has arguably never been as holy debated as it was for the 2025 edition. This has continued even after the lucky eight were selected, with the likes of Mike de Decker and Dave Chisnall less than impressed to miss out. According to James Wade though, the disappointed quite simply need to just get on with it.

World Grand Prix champion De Decker especially caused a stir with his reaction missing out. "I think their decision, frankly, is unfair and scandalous," the Belgian fumed to Het Nieuwsblad. "I don't understand it at all, especially Aspinall and Price. They didn't deserve it."

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As mentioned though, Wade feels these disappointed players need to now let their darts do the talking. "Ultimately, if you shed tears about what you thought was unfair in darts, you would be crying all day long, so you just have to get on with it," 'The Machine' writes in his Daily Star column. "I know from personal experience what it's like to be left out of the Premier League when you felt your performance justified inclusion - although certainly not this year, as I did not deserve it. My advice to those who were not selected is to focus on your game, be consistent and let your overall tournament performances convince the PDC and everyone else involved to dare not leave you out."

"On the consistency argument, Dave Chisnall – who has also made his feelings known this week – won multiple European titles last year, but that does not seem to be factored in when considering Premier League selection," continues Wade, himself a Premier League Darts champion in 2009. "There are plenty of cases for other players to be made – I personally think Richie Edhouse could have been in the mix – and that is what makes it such a contentious issue."

Wade won the Premier League Darts in 2009

Given the tough selection it was this year though, Wade doesn't feel any of those selected can be called undeserving. "For the three picks – Nathan Aspinall, Chris Dobey and Gerwyn Price – that have caused the controversy, you could say they have done enough to be selected," he analyses. "But by the same token, some would argue Mike, Dave and others have too. That is why we have this debate."

"Let's not forget factors such as the commercial and crowd appeal of certain players – hence the walk-on and 'song and dance' comments - but it's not simply down to one thing," Wade concludes.

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