Former PDC world champion Gerwyn Price has predicted Michael van Gerwen could provide the toughest test in his bid to recapture the title.
Darts star Price, 37, was crowned winner of the 2021 PDC World Championship but is still playing catch-up to three-time victor Van Gerwen. 'MVG' returns to Alexandra Palace this month in enviable form after a prolific 2022, leading 'The Iceman' to adjudge him the biggest threat to his title challenge.
"Obviously Michael," Price told Sky Sports' Love The Darts . "He's won four of the big majors this year, and the Premier League as well. So if you look at it that way, Michael is probably the one to beat. And he is the top form player at the moment."
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After several years performing below his usual levels, Van Gerwen has exploded back into form these past 11 months or so. The Dutchman beat Price to clinch his third World Matchplay title in July, then proved too hot for The Iceman as he lifted the Queensland Darts Masters trophy the following month.
Van Gerwen, 33, also beat British opposition to win finals in the Grand Slam of Darts, Premier League and World Grand Prix. That being said, there was one more name yet to win a World Championship that's caught Price's attention.
"Michael Smith on his day, winning the Grand Slam as well, he's a great player. But don't underestimate anybody who's in the tournament, because as soon as you do, you're gonna go packing.
"But whoever's gonna win the tournament is gonna have to play really well. It's a long, old tournament. . .it's a tough one. But like I said, Michael [Van Gerwen] is probably the favourite and the frontrunner at the moment."
Price collected the World Series of Darts crown in September but has otherwise found 2022 to be among his less successful years of late. He started the year with a quarter-final clash at the World Championship but was dumped out by Smith, who went on to finish as runner-up to Peter Wright.
An encouraging performance at Ally Pally would be enough to lift any player's prospects for the year ahead, and Price has the benefit of knowing what it means to win darts' biggest prize. Van Gerwen has acknowledged his recent success means there's a "target on his back" returning to London, and Price's comments suggest he agrees.
