TAYLOR: MVG AIN'T SCARY ANY LONGER

PHIL TAYLOR says the fear factor has gone for Michael van Gerwen - and opponents are no longer cowed by the sight of his green shirt.

- MIKE WALTERS

Van Gerwen has suffered a mini-dip in form, crashing out of the Masters, UK Open, Belgian Open, and making little headway in the BetMGM Premier League, where he faces Nathan Aspinall in Nottingham tonight.

And 16-time world champion Taylor - who enjoyed almost a decade of intense rivalry with Clog Almighty (top) - says it's the end of an aura for MVG. Taylor, whose six Premier League titles were eclipsed by Van Gerwen's record seventh in 2023, said: “If I had to pick a Premier League champ now, I'd go for one of the Lukes - Littler or Humphries. I actually tipped Michael to win it earlier because his form appeared to be enjoying an upsurge.