Nathan Aspinall has called on the PDC to exclude two leading stars from the Premier League.
The Asp has endured a disappointing 12 months and finished fifth out of eight within the 2024 edition, a contest that was won by 17-year-old prodigy Luke Littler.
A combination of poor form and injuries has seen Aspinall drop to number 12 on this planet rankings, meaning that he’s at serious risk of missing out on the 2025 Premier League.
That’s, in fact, unless he puts in a wonderful showing on the World Darts Championship to propel himself back into contention to qualify.
While sporting merit dictates that Aspinall would need to miss out on the tournament, Apinall believes that he deserves a spot within the Premier League ahead of Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson.
The duo, who’re currently ranked tenth and 14th respectively, have suggested that they are not eager about competing within the Premier League.
Price admitted he ‘wasn’t sure’ in regards to the tournament, but did later admit that he’d be ‘silly’ to show down an invitation.
Anderson, nonetheless, made it clear that he’d turn down a spot, saying: “Premier League, you realize, what I feel, I’m on the age now where I’ve done it, got the t-shirt, thanks very much but no.”
With neither man overly convinced by the tournament, Aspinall says that his passion for the competition should see him awarded a spot ahead of the duo.
“You realize what, it really grates on me (players saying they don’t desire to play within the Premier League),” Aspinall told Online Darts.
“I’m really good mates with Gary Anderson, really good mates with Gerwyn Price, but in the event that they don’t desire it, don’t give it to them whether or not they deserve it or not.
“Why should they get that spot when people like myself, okay I’ve had a nasty 12 months and I do not deserve it, but I need it and I’ll bring something.
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“I’ll give 110 per cent each night on that stage. If they can not be arsed, why put them in? I just do not get it. I do not even know why the PDC would consider it.
“In the event that they put them in it looks bad on the PDC for my part.”
Aspinall can be hoping to earn a spot within the Premier League with a positive showing on the World Darts Championship this month.
He’ll kick off his campaign within the second round on Wednesday, December 18 where he’ll face the winner of Cameron Menzies v Leonard Gates.
