After another gruelling seventeen weeks, the 2024 BetMGM Premier League has finally come to an end, with Luke Littler emerging victorious on his debut appearance. On the contrary, Peter Wright only managed to win two matches over the full league stage, begging the question, who should stay and who should go for next year's edition?
The top four of this year's event consisted of Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith, therefore it would take a drop-off of monumental proportions for any of these arrow-smiths not to be included next year.
Just missing out on the playoff places on the final day was Nathan Aspinall, one of the most consistent players on the PDC over the past five years, so you've got to think he'll stay in as well. Furthermore, despite finishing seventh in this year's edition, Gerwyn Price recently got himself back into the top four of the PDC world rankings and even if he wasn't, if the PDC were to omit someone with his talent and showmanship, I'd be very surprised.
Rob Cross had a solid start to the year, but fell away towards the business end of the tournament. If this dip in form continues, 'Voltage' could find his position in the Premier League under threat, however he did triumph recently at the Baltic Sea Darts Open, so hopefully this can help reignite his season.
The only player who's almost guaranteed not keep his place in the Premier League is Peter Wright. Before this year's edition, 'Snakebite' was certainly the most controversial inclusion and unfortunately, the Scotsman has proved his critics right. Only reaching the semi-finals in two weeks out of sixteen, Wright has looked at times as if he was in the tournament just to make up the numbers and was perhaps only allowed in due to past glories rather than current form.
As always with the Premier League, there will be plenty of hopefuls knocking on the door to be included and next year will be no different. Gary Anderson, Dave Chisnall, Danny Noppert, Jonny Clayton, Chris Dobey, Ross Smith, Damon Heta and many more will all fancy their chances to be in the 2025 edition.
However, if Stephen Bunting continues to play at the top of his game, with his cult-like following, surely he would be the obvious choice to replace Wright?
Furthermore, who knows? Another young talent could spring up from nowhere like a Josh Rock or Gian van Veen.
Obviously, next year's Premier League is a long way away and there are many darts that will be thrown between now and then, but for many players, the road to the Premier League 2025, starts now...
Is Wright a certainty to drop out? Will Cross play well enough over the year to stay in? Or will we see multiple changes by February next year? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below...
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