"They would see that green shirt and melt": Phil Taylor says Michael van Gerwen 'fear factor' has now gone

Many saw Luke Littler's PDC World Darts Championship win as a potential changing of the guard that ushered out the Michael van Gerwen era. Phil Taylor believes that the new crop don't care about his reputation and his fear factor has gone.

Van Gerwen who took over from Taylor as World No.1 back in 2014 dominated the sport for nearly 10 years before a new era of names emerged. They ushered in a new era of brand new winners and a sport that has grown into a lottery over a foregone conclusion.

Speaking about Littler to The Mirror, he recalls how previously players would be intimidated and scared to death over playing Van Gerwen and now they relish it. He also added that he isn't sure where MVG goes from here as a result.

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“Youngsters now are fearless, almost disrespectful. They don’t give tuppence who you are or what you’ve done - they are not frightened of anyone, you are there to be beaten. Michael used to intimidate his opponents and scare them to death. They would see that green shirt and they would melt, but I think that fear factor has gone now," said Taylor to The Mirror.

“He had chances to win the first two sets, and when he didn’t take them it was a like a rabbit in headlights - and once it was 4-0 there was no way back. It comes to us all. Michael has been a fantastic player for a long time, and only he knows whether the fire is still burning as hot, but he was well-beaten.”

Van Gerwen for the first time doesn't hold any major titles and his collection in 2024 outside of the big TV tournaments wasn't anything to shout about either. While he goes back to the drawing board, is the new era here or does MVG still have that nous to get back to his best.

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