Michael van Gerwen misses one glaring omission in Premier League Darts: "Could have been a little bit stronger"

Michael van Gerwen has given his views on the current composition of the Premier League Darts lineup. According to 'Mighty Mike,' one big name is missing from the field of participants.

Besides Van Gerwen, the lineup this season consists of Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall. The last three names in particular caused a commotion on social media. Jonny Clayton, Dave Chisnall and Damon Heta, numbers six to eight in the world rankings, all missed out on a starting spot.

Speaking to tournament sponsor BetMGM, Van Gerwen gave his opinion on the lineup. "It’s an incredibly difficult decision for the PDC to choose the line-up – I think they did well. It’s quite strong but it could have been a little bit stronger. I miss one good player – Michael Smith. But outside that, it’s eight really good darts players and that’s what people want to see.

According to the 35-year-old Dutchman, a darter's eligibility for the Premier League is not only looked at in terms of his qualities. ''Moving forward we want to create an atmosphere, too. It’s important to be a good player but it’s also how you come on stage and the show you put on. That’s all part of it.

“It’s very hard for the PDC to pick the line-up, but I still think they did well.”

From 2016 through 2024, Smith competed in the Premier League Darts seven times, with a final spot in 2018 being the best result. In 2023 and 2024, "Bullyboy" stranded in the semifinals. A year and a half ago, Smith was still the world number one, but after two disappointing seasons, he has dropped to the eighteenth spot on the PDC Order of Merit.

He is also now struggling with arthritis in his throwing hand. "I've had it for a few years now. It was always when it was winter so I thought it was just the cold affecting it.

"But it just keeps getting worse and worse. My wrist will start swelling up and the constant pain where I can't bend it so it is getting a bit difficult."