"Too many things are going wrong for him..": Michael van Gerwen has to forget about Premier League Darts title says Vincent van der Voort

Michael van Gerwen’s hopes of clinching another Premier League Darts crown appear more distant than ever, according to close friend and former professional Vincent van der Voort. Speaking candidly on the Darts Draait Door podcast, Van der Voort painted a bleak picture of the Dutchman’s current form, suggesting it’s unrealistic to consider him a genuine title threat this year.

“At the moment, I think Michael has to pass,” Van der Voort said, offering a blunt assessment of the seven-time champion’s campaign. “He had a virus earlier this year, then came back, then caught the flu again. Too many things are going wrong for him to build any sort of momentum.”

Van Gerwen, who holds the record for most Premier League titles, now faces an uphill battle just to qualify for Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena. Inconsistent performances and recurring physical issues have plagued his season.

“Every time it looks like he's getting back on track, something happens and he’s set back again,” Van der Voort continued. “He should focus on his ranking and becoming a more complete player before thinking about titles.”

But it’s not just Van Gerwen’s health that's affecting his form. Van der Voort believes his personal life is also playing a role. “Of course, players have families and personal commitments—that’s important—but you still have to put in the hours on the practice board. If you don’t, you won’t improve. That’s a reality Michael has to face.”

Despite the setbacks, Van der Voort is adamant that the three-time world champion’s talent and experience are not in question. What’s lacking, he says, is consistency—a trait that only returns through fitness and relentless hard work.

“A lot will have to change,” he concluded. “He needs a few uninterrupted months to really find his rhythm again. Deep down, I think Michael knows that, even if he doesn’t always want to admit it,” he added with a knowing smile.