Former world champion Mark Webster has insisted Michael van Gerwen still deserves a place in the Premier League Darts, despite the Dutchman's alarming slide down the rankings. Speaking in an extensive interview with Online Darts, Webster admitted he is concerned by Van Gerwen's form but believes his past contribution to the sport earns him a spot in the 2027 edition.
Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, is currently provisionally 19th in the Tour Card race and missed out on the playoffs of the 2026 Premier League Darts. Webster, however, was unequivocal: "Look at what he's done in the sport, he's earned this, hasn't he? If he continues to be 19th in the world year after year, then they'll have to ask questions. But for me, it's a no-brainer. He goes in this year." He added: "You show a bit of faith in him because he's obviously done a lot for the sport. He was the world number one. He sort of carried the sport for a while."
Webster's concern stems from Van Gerwen's recent performances, particularly his finishing. "I'm concerned. I like Michael, I really like him. I came into the sport around about the same time as him and we got on really well. I felt really sorry for him when he lost against Ryan Joyce the other night," Webster said. "He looks a bit edgy on finishes at the back end of legs. I'm talking about those two-dart combinations above 60. You never really fancy him to get them at the minute."
The Welshman also addressed Van Gerwen's changed throw, acknowledging the technical difficulties. "Technically I'm not great, but it is completely different. We've seen the footage. But I think that's his throw now, so at some point Michael's going to have to make this work." Drawing on his own experience, Webster added: "I've had technical issues and you've just got to run with what happens and try and make it work. It didn't work out for me, and I really struggle playing any sort of competitive darts now."
Despite his worries, Webster remains hopeful. "I do think he's going to make some sort of resurgence. Whether he gets back to the old Michael is a big question, but I think he's got to look comfortable. At times, he looks a bit nervous." He also pointed to Van Gerwen's off-oche challenges: "There's a lot gone on obviously over the last few years as well, so you've got to take that into account."
Webster believes Premier League competition could reignite Van Gerwen's hunger. "I think he needs that week-in, week-out competition. It's going to be a challenging time for Michael, but it might take him back to sort of when he was hungry, when he first started trying to break through and get that hunger, that grit between his teeth. You never know. It'll be interesting to see how he reacts."
On the prospect of other players questioning Van Gerwen's selection, Webster was pragmatic: "Of course they will. That comes every year. There'll be two, three, four that'll think they should have been picked." But he left little doubt about the outcome: "He's going to be in it. Simple as that. Unless he declines it, he will be picked, and rightly so."
Turning to Luke Littler, Webster saw far less cause for panic. The 19-year-old has faced recent setbacks, including defeat in Amsterdam and disappointment in Leicester, but Webster said: "For me, he's just lost a few games. It's as simple as that. He's going to come back stronger at the end of the year. I'm sure he'll put the practice in. He's a human being. He's 19 years old. He's just lost a few games."
Webster believes the reaction to Littler's defeats has been overblown. "It definitely has, hasn't it? A lot was made of the booing and stuff. I don't think Luke needed that attention. Obviously, he was a bit annoyed, but it should have just been dusted over. It happens to every player."
Littler's ambition to complete a clean sweep of major televised titles in a single calendar year came under pressure, but Webster said: "It was going to be really hard. Look, he's a winner. You want to win everything you're playing. But it was going to be tough to win them all, wasn't it?"
Webster identified the European Championship as a key target. "He's got time now to turn his attention to the European Championship. That's really important because then he's won everything, hasn't he? That's bigger than, I'd say, the Grand Slam and the Players Championship Finals for him." He added: "Obviously, the Worlds is the one. We always go to that one. But I think that one will be his immediate priority, and it happens to be the next major event as well."
On crowd behaviour, Webster noted: "Everybody cops it, isn't it? You take things to heart more when you're young, but he's got to try and deal with that. He'll be fine." He distinguished between booing and whistling: "I think booing is going to continue in the sport. I think they're doing their best to try and get rid of the whistling, which is annoying, but the booing will carry on happening. It is part of the sport. The fans have their favourites, they have their villains, and it'll continue to be that way."
Webster dismissed speculation that Littler could walk away from darts. "No, no. Look, it's media talk. He will say things in the heat of the moment maybe that he's a bit down, not enjoying the game at the minute. There's going to be more spells like that. Every player goes through that." He added: "It's all he knows, isn't it? He's a darts player. Okay, he's a celebrity, but darts got him there and darts is what he does best. I think he'll play for a long time."
Regarding Littler's early defeat to Luke Woodhouse, Webster said: "Disappointing the way he played against Luke Woodhouse here. These games happen. It will happen to him again. As good as he is, it will happen to him again. You've just got to bounce back and, like I said, I think he'll have a strong end to the year."
