The landscape of professional darts is currently witnessing a fascinating divergence at the elite level, characterized by the sudden struggles of one of the sport’s greatest-ever champions and the remarkable career renaissance of a seasoned veteran. While Michael van Gerwen attempts to arrest a worrying slump that has sparked intense debate over his future and underlying motivation, James Wade has put together a stellar run of form that has firmly thrust him back into the conversation for the sport’s most prestigious invitational events.
As fans and pundits look ahead to the upcoming major tournaments, including the upcoming Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, the stark contrast between these two prominent figures has become one of the most compelling storylines on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit.
Michael van Gerwen Faces Mounting Questions Over Form and Motivation
For years, Michael van Gerwen has set the absolute benchmark for excellence in professional darts, dominating the oche with a relentless scoring power and an intimidating aura that left opponents demoralized. However, recent months have painted a vastly different picture of the Dutchman’s career. Van Gerwen has struggled profoundly to find any semblance of consistent form, leading to widespread speculation regarding his hunger for the sport and whether the immense mental and physical toll of a two-decade-long career is finally catching up with him.
The depth of his recent struggles is reflected starkly in his tournament results. Over his last five major appearances, Van Gerwen has managed to move beyond his opening match only once. That lone bright spot came at Players Championship 30, where he advanced to the quarter-finals before suffering a defeat at the hands of Scott Williams. Beyond that single run, his record has been littered with uncharacteristic early exits.
At the World Grand Prix, a major tournament he has traditionally thrived in, he suffered a bitterly disappointing opening-round defeat to Ryan Joyce. Similar fates met him at the World Series of Darts Finals, where he was bested by Daryl Gurney, and on the floor events, where he endured early losses to Benjamin Pratnemer at Players Championship 29 and to Damon Heta at the Flanders Darts Trophy.
Reflecting on his recent disappointments, Van Gerwen admitted in a broadcast on his own streaming channel that he was deeply "annoyed" by his early exit at the World Grand Prix, a tournament he firmly believed he should have won. Yet, external observers are beginning to look past temporary poor form and question the deeper psychological state of the three-time World Champion.
Speaking on the Love the Darts podcast, darts analyst and former player Colin Lloyd voiced genuine concern that the fire which once drove the Dutchman so relentlessly might be flickering out. Lloyd suggested that if Van Gerwen were to step away from the sport, even temporarily, the path back might not be straightforward.
"It was a free hit. I don’t want to say he wasn’t ready for it, but he didn’t look comfortable," Lloyd remarked while discussing Van Gerwen’s recent outings. "There has been some odd results throughout the last six to eight months where you think everything seems to be going well. Michael has had a lot going on in his private life. He loves spending time with his kids and whatever. Perhaps just that little bit of hunger’s gone. That little bit of hunger’s gone."
Lloyd acknowledged that Van Gerwen remains a player of undeniable class, but emphasized that the erosion of competitive desire changes the dynamic for any elite athlete. "There’s no question that Michael’s still a class player, but it is just a case of—when you start losing that little bit of hunger and you lose that little bit of fire in you," he said.
Furthermore, Lloyd believes that financial security and familial priorities could easily tempt the Dutch superstar into a permanent departure from the punishing PDC tour schedule. "I don’t personally believe that if Michael van Gerwen steps away, you won’t see Michael van Gerwen come back," Lloyd continued. "He won’t come back because financially he’s set. He can spend so much more time with the kids and he can put in the odd exhibitions here and there, the odd appearances here and there."
To contextualize the longevity of Van Gerwen’s career, analysts often forget that he burst onto the scene as a prodigious teenager. He captured the prestigious World Masters title at the remarkably tender age of 17, an achievement that occurred two decades ago. As Lloyd pointed out, the accumulated physical and psychological pressure of remaining at the very top of professional sport for twenty years leaves an inevitable mark.
"People will say he is still young enough, but he has got battle scars," Lloyd added. "He has got battle scars from that 17-year-old kid all the way up to now. At some point or another, mentally and physically, you think to yourself, do I really need to go through this anymore?"
James Wade Capitalizes on Renewed Vigor to Push for Premier League Return
While Michael van Gerwen navigates an uncertain period of introspection, the narrative surrounding James Wade is moving in the exact opposite direction. The veteran left-hander, affectionately known as ‘The Machine’, has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence over the past year, rediscovering the poise, clinical finishing, and consistency that made him one of the most feared competitors in the sport’s history.
Wade’s recent resume highlights a player operating at the absolute peak of his powers. He powered his way to the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix, marking his deepest run in the unique double-in tournament since 2014. That strong performance followed a momentous triumph in August, when he secured his first-ever World Series title at the Australian Darts Masters. Momentum continued to build in September as he captured the Flanders Darts Trophy, sealing his first European Tour title in a decade.
Underpinning these trophy successes is an exceptional run of consistency on the oche. Wade has quietly amassed 14 victories from his last 16 matches, demonstrating a level of sustained excellence that has caught the attention of players, pundits, and fans alike.
This resurgence has naturally reignited discussions about Wade’s prospects of returning to the sport’s biggest showcase event: the Premier League. Speaking on the Love the Darts podcast, fellow professional Matt Edgar argued passionately that Wade has made an undeniable case for inclusion in the 2027 Premier League line-up, particularly if rumors of tournament expansion prove to be accurate.
"I was going to say Premier League, but it seems every time I mention it in the moment people want to say it is too early," Edgar said. "I was kind of surprised he wasn’t in it this year or at least in the conversation, because it was sort of Stephen Bunting and Danny Noppert weren’t in that split decision for the eighth position. I was surprised James Wade wasn’t in the consideration then. He has to be, he has to be now."
Edgar emphasized that the ongoing whispers regarding a potential expansion of the Premier League field from eight players to ten would make Wade an absolute certainty for selection. "If that is the case, I think he is a certainty. I think it’s a tough argument right now to say he’s not," Edgar stated.
At the same time, Edgar acknowledged the volatile nature of professional darts, where recency bias often dictates public perception and selection committees can be swayed by late-season dips in form. "We know the short term and the recency bias kicks in. If he has a poor World Championship, if the back end of the year doesn’t go well, people can forget what happens through the rest of the season very quickly."
With the PDC calendar entering its most intense and prestigious phase, the trajectories of both Van Gerwen and Wade will remain under intense scrutiny. While Van Gerwen searches for the spark that can reignite his dominant era, Wade will look to maintain his momentum on the big stage as the sport heads toward the winter major championships.