Michael Van Gerwen on a roll and hungry for more success

The mean, green winning machine has won the Champions League and World Series over the past fortnight. But MVG admits he’s hungry to add to his three previous Slam titles in Wolverhampton.

He revealed: “My head is already in next week, I’m looking forward to the Grand Slam. I want to win anything what I’m competing in, everyone knows what I’m capable of and what I can do.

“I keep trying to do the thing what I’m good at and that’s playing darts. I love what I do and that’s really important as well. I feel good at the moment and I don’t think I’m far off my best form but I have to show it next week again to win the title. I know there’s more in the tank and I’m capable of doing more.”

PDC chairman Barry Hearn reckons that Van Gerwen can ‘smell the big money’ as he aims to win a million in a couple of months.

Hearn said: “Michael smells the big money going up to Christmas. He’s looking to make over a million in the next couple of months and good luck to him.

“That’s the opportunity for all players. Shout out to Gerwyn Price because he’s probably the player running him closest at the moment. He’s playing some great darts.”

, getting within those final frames, so it’s not a shoo-in.

“We found out in the European Championships, Van Gerwen went out quite early. So you’ve got to be on your game.

“But this is the creme de la creme in this field. Lots of different stories, different nuances, styles and personalities. It’s going to be tough but you’ve still got to say MVG is the man to beat.”

The group of death would appear to be Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall, Glen Durrant and Martin Schlinder while another top female star Lisa Ashton has drawn Rob Cross, Dave Chisnall and Tipton’s Jamie Hughes in Group E.