Phil Taylor warns top darts players for Michael van Gerwen: “No pressure — he’ll be tough to beat.”

Darts legend Phil Taylor has issued a clear warning to the sport’s top contenders ahead of the PDC World Darts Championship, insisting that Michael van Gerwen is primed for a major resurgence — and may be the most dangerous player in the field.

Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, has endured a mixed season by his own elite standards, but Taylor believes the Dutchman is arriving at Ally Pally with renewed focus and freedom.

Speaking in the build-up to the tournament, Taylor said:

“There’s no pressure on Michael this year — and that makes him very dangerous. He’ll be tough to beat.”

Taylor, who dominated darts for over two decades, explained that Van Gerwen’s shift from being the overwhelming favourite to more of an outsider could actually work in his favour.

“When everyone expects you to win every match, that’s when the pressure hits.
This time it’s different. He can play with a bit more freedom, and that’s when Michael is at his best.”

Van Gerwen has shown flashes of his old brilliance throughout the season, including major title runs and standout performances on the European Tour. But inconsistency has been the recurring issue — something Taylor believes could disappear once the atmosphere of the World Championship kicks in.

“At the Worlds, the adrenaline, the crowd, the stage — it brings out something special in him,” Taylor added.
“If he gets on a roll, people need to watch out.”

Taylor also noted that although players like Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price enter the tournament as favourites in many fans’ eyes, writing off Van Gerwen would be a huge mistake.

“People forget how good he really is,” Taylor said.
“If he finds his scoring power early, he can beat anyone.”

With the biggest tournament of the year about to begin, Taylor’s warning serves as a reminder that even in a new era of emerging stars, the Dutch powerhouse remains one of the most feared competitors in world darts.