Why teenage sensation Luke Littler shouldn’t be included in the Darts Premier League

Fast tracked

16-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler has been fast-tracked into the Premier League of Darts after a record-breaking World Championship performance this month.

World by storm

The teenage sensation took the sporting world by storm, being the youngest player ever to reach the World Championship final and netting himself a lovely £200,000.

Momentum

The Professional Darts Corporation is attempting to build on the record-breaking momentum generated by his unlikely run by including him in the Darts elite league.

Millions watching

The new world number 32 captured the United Kingdom in his performances, with the final having 4.8 million viewers, outdoing the Ryder Cup and The Ashes.

Should he have been selected?

Should Luke Littler have been included in the Premier League of Darts at such a young age? The teenager himself believes his chances of making it were slim and near impossible.

Commitment

Darts icon Bobby George wants Littler to stick to his commitment to playing in the Premier League and PDC Tour even if it proves too much for the teenager.

'Bit of a shock'

According to gbnews.com, George said: "He's going to have a bit of a shock. He has a lot of traveling and timekeeping to do. He'll be worn out. He won't be home very much."

Intense schedule

The Premier League of Darts schedule is intense for all the players selected to be involved, having to play 17 weeks all over Europe.

Do well not to be selected

Before being selected into the darts elite eight competition, former world champion and 2007 Premier League participant Dennis Priestly said Littler would do well not to be picked.

'I'd wait another year'

According to dartsnews.com, Priestly said: "If I was his manager, I'd wait another year. I've played in it myself and the schedule is so hectic."

'It won't do him any good'

"You travel to the venue on Wednesday, play on Thursday, then they want you on tour on Friday. It's consistent, and it won't do him any good."

‘He’d be better off turning it down’

"I think Luke would take the offer, obviously. But in the long run, he'd be better off turning it down for a year or so."

Not in the top eight

One of the main reasons Littler shouldn't have been included in Darts Premier League is because he isn't one of the top eight in the world.

The elite players

Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price, Rob Cross, and Peter Wright were also included, but Joe Cullen was one of the many big names overlooked, so Littler was included.

'Littler HAD to be in'

According to express.co.uk, Cullen said: "Personally think @OfficialPDC got it right this year! Littler HAD to be in! The global attention his rise has attracted is huge for darts! And we as players will all benefit."

No question on his inclusion

Many players deserve to be in the Premier League more than Luke Littler, but there is no question the inclusion is good for the game of darts, with the teenager bringing more eyes to the sport.