Michael van Gerwen, the seven-time Premier League Darts champion, has been handed a stern reality check in the 2025 season, with rising stars Luke Littler and Luke Humphries overshadowing the Dutch legend. The 35-year-old, once the sport’s dominant force, has struggled to keep pace with the younger duo, as their performances in the Premier League and other events have exposed his dip in form and consistency.
**Littler’s Dominance Over Van Gerwen**: Luke Littler, the 18-year-old reigning PDC world champion, has asserted a psychological and competitive edge over Van Gerwen. Their most notable clash came in the Premier League Night 7 final in Cardiff on March 20, where Littler hit a sensational nine-darter en route to a 6-4 victory, averaging 102.5 to Van Gerwen’s 101.41. Littler’s fifth nightly win in Birmingham on May 2 further cemented his dominance, defeating Van Gerwen 6-4 with a 102.5 average, breaking the record for most nightly wins in a season. Littler boldly claimed a mental advantage, telling Sky Sports, “I have the psychological edge over Michael now,” a statement reflecting his 2-1 head-to-head lead in 2025 Premier League finals. Van Gerwen’s inability to capitalize on key moments, such as missing double 10 in Birmingham, underscored Littler’s clutch finishing.[](
**Humphries’ Competitive Edge**: Luke Humphries, the world No. 1, has also outshone Van Gerwen, particularly in their Cardiff quarter-final on March 20, where Van Gerwen staged a comeback from 4-1 down only to lose 6-5. Humphries’ 6-5 win over Littler in Leeds on May 8, averaging 100.96, kept him in contention for the top spot, while Van Gerwen’s inconsistent Premier League campaign saw him slip to fifth with 17 points after Night 12. Humphries’ ability to handle high-pressure matches, like his 6-3 quarter-final win over Nathan Aspinall in Liverpool, contrasts with Van Gerwen’s struggles, such as his 6-3 loss to Niko Springer in Players Championship 7, averaging just 89.91
**Van Gerwen’s Struggles**: Van Gerwen’s 2025 season has been marred by health issues and erratic form. Dutch compatriot Vincent van der Voort revealed on the *Darts Draait Door* podcast that Van Gerwen has battled a persistent health problem, possibly linked to shoulder issues that forced his withdrawal from Berlin’s Premier League Night 9. His shock first-round exits, including a 6-4 loss to Boris Krcmar at the Belgian Darts Open and a 6-5 defeat to Maik Kuivenhoven in Players Championship 11, highlight his vulnerability. Van Gerwen’s behavior, including mocking Littler for tardiness in Belfast and a blunt interview exit in Nottingham, has drawn criticism, with *Express.co.uk* noting concerns over his stage demeanor.[](https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/03/michael-van-gerwen-forced-withdraw-premier-league-darts-berlin-22845093/)[](https://www.gbnews.com/sport/darts/michael-van-gerwen-health-problem-luke-humphries)[](https://www.bbc.com/sport/darts/articles/c5ygmz59e53o)
**Standings and Context**: Littler leads the Premier League with 38 points, nine ahead of Humphries at 31, while Van Gerwen languishes with 17, barely clinging to a play-off spot. Littler’s nine-darters and record-breaking performances, coupled with Humphries’ consistent finals appearances (four in 14 nights), have shifted the spotlight. Van Gerwen’s sole highlight was a 6-5 comeback against Littler in Liverpool, but his inability to sustain momentum, as seen in a 6-4 semi-final loss to Humphries, underscores the gap. Posts on X, like @OfficialPDC’s highlight of Littler’s 6-2 demolition of Van Gerwen in Brighton, reflect the narrative of a fading giant.[
While Van Gerwen’s experience and five maximums in Birmingham show flashes of brilliance, his health struggles and inability to match Littler’s and Humphries’ consistency signal a changing of the guard. Littler’s confidence and Humphries’ clutch play have embarrassed the Dutchman, who must regroup for Night 15 in Aberdeen against Aspinall to secure a play-off berth. Van Gerwen’s legacy remains intact, but 2025 has been a humbling reality check. (\\
