Premier League Darts: Dave Chisnall joins debate over Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price selections | Darts News happymamay

Dave Chisnall has questioned the inclusion of Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price in this year’s BetMGM Premier League field, suggesting selections should be “about darts, not your career”.

After Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker criticized his exclusion from the tournament – ​​a decision the Belgian described as “a bit scandalous” – world No. 6 Chisnell waded into the controversy over the eight-man squad revealed for the 17-date campaign. The promotion, which starts live in Belfast on Thursday 6 February Sky Sports.

Although he is ranked higher than three of the four wildcard picks – Price, Chris Dobbie and Aspinall – ‘Chezzi’ said he had no concerns about being overlooked, but admitted he feels for De Decker and world number eight Damon Hita.

Chisnall said: “The Premier League line-up was no surprise this week, but you have to be disappointed if you are someone like Mike De Decker or Damon Hita. kwiff.

“I never expected to get a call-up – despite being world No. 6 – because of how poor I have been on TV this year, but Mike can get frustrated after his amazing Grand Prix career. Maybe being No. 24 in the Grand Prix.” World It counts against him, but these young boys are doing everything they can to get a chance to shine.

“Damo is another guy who I think could feel unlucky, while it’s good to see Chris Dube and Stephen Ponting rewarded with a place. It feels like a changing of the guard with neither Michael Smith nor Peter Wright, while Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price could feel A bit lucky in my opinion to be involved this year.”

Explaining why he felt Aspinall and Price were lucky to receive the call-ups, Chisnall added: “Jeezy has had a lot of work to do [on] He suffered in 2024, while Nathan did the same.

“Making it to the quarter-finals at the World Championships probably got him involved, and that’s what made everyone love him Mr. Brightside Theme song.

“It’s a great entry, but it has to be about darts, not your career that gets you into these big competitions. There’s nothing against them personally, they’re great lads and they get along well, but it has to be about your skills.” Actions on the board “Arrows, not a song and dance.”

The PDC Chair explains the rationale behind the wildcard choices

While the top four in the PDC Order of Merit – this year being Luke Humphries, world champion Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross – automatically qualify for the prestigious weekly promotion, the remaining four players are selected by the PDC.

said Matt Porter, CEO of PDC, explaining this year’s wildcard selections Sky Sports News: “Obviously for Price, Dobey and Aspinall, there are players higher in the rankings than them who haven’t been selected but we looked at it in terms of the big stage presence, the popularity, the way they can get 10,000 spectators every day. Thursday’s going.

“We want people on the edge of their seats. We want people to wake up and enjoy darts.

“It doesn’t mean other players can’t do it. You have to make decisions about who is right at that time.”

On De Decker specifically after the Belgian became the first Grand Prix champion to miss selection, Porter added: “Mike is a fantastic talent and someone we will undoubtedly see in the Premier League in the future.

“We didn’t feel he was quite ready. There are a lot of trophies and he won one… Players in the past like Ross Smith, Danny Nobert and Andrew Gilding have won TV trophies, but you have to prove you can do it.” Compete in the final stages of the tournament on a regular basis.

“Doing it once is great, and it’s something you’ll always have, but to really be part of the elite, you have to do it regularly over several years.”

2025 Premier League schedule BetMGM

• Night 1 – SSE Arena, Belfast – Thursday 6 February
• Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday 13 February
• Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday 20 February
• Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday 27 February
• Night 5 – Brighton Center – Thursday 6 March
• Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday 13 March
• Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday 20 March
• Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday 27 March
• Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday 3 April
• Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday 10 April
• Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday 17 April
• Night 12 – M&S Bank Stadium, Liverpool – Thursday 24 April
• Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday 1 May
• Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday 8 May
• Night 15 – Live from P&J, Aberdeen – Thursday 15 May
• Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday 22 May
• Playoffs – The O2, London – Thursday 29 May

Watch English Premier League matches on Sky Sports

Watch all the events from Premier League on Sky Sports with Luke Littler aims to defend his title. The new Premier League season kicks off in Belfast on Thursday 6 February, as darts’ biggest party returns to an unchanged line-up of 17 venues across the UK and Europe.

Who will win the English Premier League title? Watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more of the best sports with NOW.