Saturday 28 May 2016 10:43, UK
After Michael van Gerwen was crowned Premier League champion, we asked Sky Sports experts to pick a player who could force his way into next year's line-up.
The world No 1 enjoyed a triumphant season as he finished top of the 10-man table and then defeated Phil Taylor in the final to claim the title for the second time at The O2.
But can a new contender emerge to challenge Van Gerwen next year, or should a past challenger be welcomed back to the 2017 competition?
We asked 'Mighty Mike', our Sky Sports pundits and the PDC chairman to reveal their Premier League picks...
It would be Vincent van der Voort or Simon Whitlock. Vincent is my best mate of course and I would like to have him in the Premier League. He's a good darts player.
As for the rest, I don't really care, I like to beat everyone.
I would love to see Stephen Bunting back in. I just feel that he let himself down when he was in it.
I would like to see Bunting there, because the way he plays, the speed he plays, and how he plays, would suit the Premier League.
It wasn't a year too soon, I just think he found it tougher than he thought he would. You've got to be ready mentally.
I would like to see Bunting there, because the way he plays, the speed he plays, and how he plays, would suit the Premier League. You see something in players where you think they're so good, they just need to believe they are.
This is Alan's second year in the PDC and he moved across after coming runner-up in the BDO World Championships. He ran into Stephen Bunting in the final, who was playing at his absolute best.
He had a really good debut year in the PDC, reached the quarter-finals of the Worlds at Ally Pally, where it looked like he had the beating of Jelle Klaasen until the Dutchman reeled off three brilliant legs on the trot to knock him out.
He throws quick, he's aggressive, hits a lot of 180s and would be good entertainment for the Premier League.
I like Vincent van der Voort. He has electric fast play and when he's playing well he's just about as good as anybody.
Obviously there are consistency issues and I'm not sure he could necessarily handle the Premier League. The talent level can be discouraging sometimes if you don't get off to a good start, but that would go for anybody coming into the Premier League.
He's got enough experience now that I think, given the opportunity, he might do fairly well. I wouldn't say he would come in and win it, but he could possibly put on a good show for much of the season.
I would go for one of the newcomers, because I believe the game relies on them. One person who is standing out - his form has been brilliant over the last year - is Benito van de Pas.
There could be a good bit of rivalry there and I think Benito will become the second best player in Holland.
'Big Ben' from Holland, he hacks it with the big boys, and has beaten Michael van Gerwen on two or three occasions. There could be a good bit of rivalry there and I think Benito will become the second best player in Holland.
I would like to see Jelle. He's got the panache, he's got the style, and would get the crowd going. He's got all the attributes, he's playing great darts at the moment, and could be a real threat. Klaasen could do some damage next year.
He could handle the big stage, he's proven that already.
If they went back to Rotterdam, he would get a red-hot reception too. He could handle the big stage, he's proven that already.
There are two or three out there. I think Jelle Klaasen is right up there. I like Benito van de Pas, he's playing well and is a young man with a lot of potential who is improving all the time. I like Gerwyn Price from Wales and I like Daryl Gurney from Ireland.
It's probably getting to the time when these kids have got to have a chance and see what they can do on the big stage.
Watch more live darts action from the World Cup of Darts, starting at 7pm on Thursday June 2, on Sky Sports 1.
