Raymond van Barneveld vows to extend career despite difficult Premier League campaign

Raymond van Barneveld plans to compete with the world’s best players for seven more years, even if his Premier League title defence is cut short.

Live Premier League Darts

The Dutchman has endured a difficult campaign and faces the humbling prospect of early elimination on this Thursday’s Judgement Night, live on Sky Sports.

We’ll find out after Thursday, but it doesn’t mean the whole world is down for me.

Defeat against Gary Anderson could prove the final blow for Van Barneveld, but the 47-year-old is refusing to panic about his precarious position.  

“I don’t feel any pressure,” he told Sky Sports. “I’m aware that I’m the defending champion and I’m aware that I’m among the nine best players in the world.

“They are such, such good players, even Dave Chisnall is doing so well in the Premier League.

“I remember when Gary Anderson was relegated one year and the year before he won the Premier League. What can you say? Maybe it’s not my year in the Premier League.

“We’ll find out after Thursday, but it doesn’t mean the whole world is down for me.”

Compatriot Michael van Gerwen sits at the top of the table, fresh from a 7-2 win over ‘Barney’, while world champion Anderson and Dave Chisnall complete the top three.

Van Barneveld admits he could be falling behind the top crop of players, but still believes he can win titles before he walks away at the age of 55.

“I’m 48 next month. I think maybe seven years for me when I become 55, that’s a nice age when you can say it’s fine for now," he said.

“One world title would be perfect. I want to stay in the top eight in the world.

“The top four, world No 1, it’s hard to get that because of the prize money nowadays. You still hope you can win titles and I’ve shown the world I’m still capable of doing that, by winning the Premier League last year.

“It’s still there, but there are so many good players at the moment. It’s harder to get to the next rounds and especially for me. I’ve got to work harder and harder.”

But van Barneveld still has genuine hopes of retaining his crown and feels his upcoming encounter with Anderson could lead to a vintage performance.

“It looks like when I play against the top players in the world like Phil, Michael and Gary, I’m always at my best, so maybe it is like that.

“You know what you have to do and I was really pleased with the win over Phil and averaged 104. The way I’m playing is really good at the moment.”

Watch Thursday night's matches in the Premier League from 7.30pm on Sky Sports 1.