Van Gerwen was eliminated for the first time in his career in Premier League Darts. A poor run made sure that he would not make the play-offs in Milton Keynes.

He lost five of his ten games and also drew once. With only four wins, Mighty Mike fell back to sixth place in the final standings.

Stompé thinks that the number one in the world lacked rhythm and match sharpness. "I also think that the Coronavirus period has not done him any good. Michael needs tournaments. He has been away from home every week for ten years and now he has spent months with his little family. That gives a different rhythm. Maybe that's why he has become slightly less sharp, '' Stompé said to AD.

Participation in the PDC Home Tour, for which Van Gerwen declined, could have helped him according to The Matchstick. ''Other players have participated in that Home Tour where they played though the internet. Michael skipped all that. He has to do something now, because nothing will automatically get better, '" he added.