Michael van Gerwen has been out of form in recent months, prompting questions over whether he has lost his "hunger". In his last five tournaments, he has progressed beyond his opening appearance only once, losing to Scott Williams in the quarter-finals of Players Championship 30. Elsewhere he suffered an opening-round exit to Ryan Joyce at the World Grand Prix, and lost to Daryl Gurney at the World Series of Darts Finals, to Benjamin Pratnemer in Players Championship 29, and to Damon Heta in the Flanders Darts Trophy.
Speaking on his own stream, Van Gerwen said he was "annoyed" at his recent Grand Prix defeat, a result he believes he should have won. However, on the Love the Darts podcast, Colin Lloyd admitted he was worried the Dutchman no longer had the "fire" and that he may not return if he takes a break. Lloyd pointed to a busy private life and said that "there's no question that Michael's still a class player." He added that Van Gerwen is financially secure, which could make a comeback less likely.
The situation contrasts sharply with James Wade, who has been performing near his old level. He reached the World Grand Prix semi-finals for the first time since 2014, won his first World Series title at the Australian Darts Masters in August, and claimed the Flanders Darts Trophy in September, his first Euro Tour title in a decade. He has won 14 of his last 16 matches.
For Matt Edgar, Wade is an almost certainty for the Premier League in 2027, and a dead cert if the field increases from eight players to ten.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing