Wessel Nijman isn’t yet talking about the Premier League as an immediate goal, but the word is out: it is a dream that is starting to matter. After a massive first half of the season, with eight titles already under his belt and a real rise up the PDC rankings, the Dutchman knows that the topic is going to come up more and more often.
The nuance is important. In an interview reported by DartsNews, taken from the Darts Draait Door podcast, Nijman isn’t making any demands. He even says he’ll still need some very good results to get into the conversation. But for our editorial team, that is precisely what makes the subject interesting today: the player isn’t hyping himself up; he’s making a fair assessment.
We’d already highlighted his real test at Blackpool in our coverage of Wessel Nijman’s World Matchplay campaign. A few weeks on, the picture is even clearer: floor titles are no longer enough; the next step will be taken in front of the cameras.
Nijman knows that the Premier League is won on television
The most telling passage concerns his own assessment of the situation. Nijman explains that Premier League places will mainly be decided in the second half of the year, and that he will need to secure several more big wins if he is to stand a chance of making the shortlist. It’s not a spectacular statement, but it says a great deal about his mindset.
For months now, the Dutchman has been winning wherever the fixture list has given him an opportunity. He has put together a very busy season on the regular circuits, with a consistency that has taken him to the next level. But the Premier League doesn’t just reward raw form. It also rewards visibility, TV appeal, the ability to deliver on big nights and, let’s be honest, box-office potential.
Put another way: Nijman has already earned the right to be mentioned. He still has to earn the right to be selected.
Eight titles, then a self-imposed break
The other useful piece of information from the interview is his approach to rest. Nijman explains that he put his darts away for a week, simply to take a break after a period of back-to-back tournaments. Here too, the detail matters. When a player is on a winning streak, the temptation is to keep pushing the momentum. He, however, seems more intent on maintaining his form without burning himself out.
Vincent van der Voort, quoted in the interview, backs up this idea: taking a bit of a step back can reignite your enthusiasm when you return. For a player whose season is built around the volume of matches, it’s a delicate balance. Taking too much time off can disrupt your rhythm. Never taking a break can dull one’s focus.
| Player | Wessel Nijman |
| Spotlight | Premier League a possibility, but not yet set as a target |
| Strong signal | Eight wins in the first half of the season |
| Next challenge | Strong results in major televised tournaments |
The real test will come in the autumn
Nijman has realised this: titles on the floor build a reputation, but the PDC autumn season can turn that reputation into status. The major televised tournaments will carry far more weight when it comes to a potential Premier League selection. A quarter-final, a semi-final or a genuine run against the top players would immediately change the conversation.
That’s also why his words ring true. He doesn’t act as if a place in the Premier League is his for the taking. He knows the competition will be fierce, with major champions, more established players, bigger names and a few rising stars vying for places. But he also knows that he now has a card to play.
Why this signal matters now
The issue isn’t whether Nijman will automatically be selected. At this stage, it would be far too early to say. The point is that his name has moved up a tier. He is no longer just in the category of players in form on the ProTour. He is now among the contenders to watch as the PDC begins to consider the line-up for the next Premier League.
The results say one thing; the trajectory says a bit more. Nijman has already proven he can win frequently. What happens next will show whether he can win at the right moment, on the stages that change a career. That’s where the real challenge begins.
Main source: DartsNews.
