Michael van Gerwen has been a fixture in the Premier League Darts for years, but according to Vincent van der Voort, another invitation to the prestigious event should not be taken for granted. The former professional believes his close friend has not done enough on results alone this season to justify a place in the field. Van der Voort also feels it is still too early for Wessel Nijman to make the step into the Premier League.
Speaking to Online Darts, he also opened up on the decline of Raymond van Barneveld and Peter Wright, as well as the current standard at the very top of the sport. The Premier League currently features eight players and Van Gerwen has long been one of its biggest attractions. The three-time world champion has, however, endured a disappointing season across the major televised events. Van der Voort was therefore asked whether his compatriot still deserved an invitation if the field once again consists of just eight players. "Those are two different things," Van der Voort replied. "Of course, if you look at what he has done for the sport and everything, he should be in. But if you judge it on this year until now, he shouldn't."
Van der Voort then pointed to Van Gerwen's results across the biggest televised tournaments. The Dutchman has suffered a number of early exits at the majors this season. "First round in the Masters, last 16 at the UK Open, early exit at the Matchplay and then losing here in the first round. You can't say he deserves to be in based on that." According to Van der Voort, there could even be benefits to Van Gerwen sitting out the Premier League for a season. The former professional believes his close friend would then have more time to focus on other tournaments and his position in the world rankings. "Maybe for his career it would actually be better not to play it. Commercially and money-wise, of course, it is a lot of money. But for everything else, the best thing might be to skip it and fully focus on his ranking." Van der Voort therefore sees a clear distinction when it comes to Van Gerwen's potential selection. His enormous contribution to the sport gives him a strong case for an invitation, but on current results the picture is different.
Wessel Nijman was another name discussed at length. The Dutchman has impressed throughout the season on the ProTour and European Tour and is increasingly being mentioned as a possible Premier League candidate. Van der Voort is impressed by Nijman's performances, but believes the young Dutchman still has something to prove on the biggest televised stages. "At this moment, it's too early. He hasn't shown it on the big stage." According to the former professional, the Premier League should primarily be viewed as a reward for players who have already proved themselves on the biggest televised stages. "The Premier League should be a place for people who have done well on TV. They then get something extra commercially and everything. But Wessel hasn't been in the quarter-finals of a TV tournament yet." Van der Voort is not ruling out Nijman putting forward a convincing case over the coming months. For that to happen, though, he believes Nijman first needs to deliver results on the biggest stage. "Maybe this weekend will be his weekend, and then he has to play well in all the other tournaments. But for now, it's not." The Dutchman believes it is important that performances on the ProTour are not automatically treated as equal to success on the major televised stages. "You can't say to a player who has never been in a semi-final or final of a TV tournament, 'You're a Premier League player.' That's what I think."
Another subject Van der Voort discussed was the decline of former world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Peter Wright. Both players have enjoyed hugely successful careers, but now struggle more often to reproduce the levels they once reached. Van Barneveld's performances in particular are difficult for Van der Voort to watch. The former professional grew up in an era when his compatriot, alongside Phil Taylor, was operating on another level. "That's difficult to say because, in one way, I understand the point. I think that too, because for me it's very tough to watch Raymond nowadays. When I grew up, he was the best and he and Phil were on another level." Van der Voort also stressed just how important Van Barneveld has been to the sport. "He was so good for Dutch darts and darts in general, so for me it's hard to see him play like this." At the same time, he believes every player should be free to decide for themselves when the time has come to end their career. "He's his own person. He can say whatever he wants. It's his decision. If you ask me personally, I would say this is not right to look at. And the same for Peter Wright. The man has been so good."
According to Van der Voort, the decline of former world-class players can also affect how younger darts fans view what they achieved at their peak. He sees that first-hand in his own dart shop, where he regularly speaks to customers about the sport. "I've got my own dart shop, so loads of people come in there and they now say, 'Was Raymond really that good?'" For Van der Voort, that is difficult to understand. He witnessed Van Barneveld's best years closely and knows how high the five-time world champion's level was at his peak. "And I would say, 'No, no, no. He was that good.'" According to the former professional, continuing to play at a lower level can affect how a player is remembered. "For his legacy, it's the worst thing that could happen to him, playing for the last couple of years. Same as Peter Wright. But they are in charge of their own career." Van der Voort therefore respects the decisions of both players, even if he personally finds it difficult to watch their current performances compared with the standards they once set.
Finally, Van der Voort addressed the often-heard claim that the standard in darts has never been higher. He strongly disagrees. In his view, the sport has become stronger in depth, but the level at the absolute top was higher around a decade ago. "I totally agree. I think if you look at those Premier Leagues when Anderson was at his best, Taylor, Van Barneveld, Adrian Lewis, the top was better then than it is right now." The former professional does, however, see one important difference compared with the current generation. "Only the group after that is better now." Van der Voort believes the packed darts calendar also plays a role. In the past there were fewer major tournaments, allowing the leading players to prepare more specifically for the biggest events. "There were not as many tournaments as there are right now, so they all focused on that moment in that tournament." He also believes some of today's top players are less careful with their schedules because of their financial position. "Now they make so much money, they make stupid decisions and they do whatever they want because it's easier for them. But the top is not as good as it was before."
