Michael van Gerwen interview: Testing times as World Darts Championship looms

"This is the most important part of the year. You can't do anything that you will regret afterwards"

Walk around the Alexandra Palace area of north London at Christmas time and you will find smurfs, superheroes and sombreros interrupting everyday people's last-minute dash to the shops.

Those in fancy dress making the long stumble up the hill towards Ally Pally, home of the World Darts Championship, are usually too excited to notice Michael van Gerwen mingling among the locals. The world's best player tries, and fails, to take his mind off the pressing matter of winning his sport's top prize by relaxing in the local area.

"I mustn't be on the phone too much," he tells Sky Sports, dropping a massive hint having already mentioned his desire to return to practice.

These are testing times for Van Gerwen in the build-up to darts' most prestigious tournament, a rare month without competition leaving him stewing over his intentions for when he can finally throw another dart. It becomes a period when he is unable to chill out, unable to improve his form in a competitive environment, and unable to forget the reality that an entire year's work will soon culminate on the biggest stage.

"Prepare, practice," he says with the concentration of someone who is already mid-tournament. "Don't do anything stupid. This is the most important part of the year. You can't do anything that you will regret afterwards.

"I enjoy the build-up but I'd rather be playing. That's what I look forward to. What I really, really love is to perform."

Two-time champion Van Gerwen will begin his hunt for a third World Championship against Alan Tabern or Raymond Smith on December 15, the third day of the tournament. From then on, his brain will go into overdrive and will not switch off.

"I try to watch a movie to relax, talk with the people close to me," he sighs. "But I look at other games to see what I can change, see what I can do better."

The harsh reality that hangs over Van Gerwen, arguably the greatest player in darts' history, is that victory in the upcoming World Championship won't be enough. His talent is so vast that his potential will only be realised if he accrues multiple trophies to add to the titles he won in 2014 and 2017.

Even then, he has known for his entire career that it will not be possible to match the 16 world titles won by Phil 'The Power' Taylor.

"Six or seven is definitely possible but will be tough, know what I mean? You have to set yourself targets and I will set the bar high for myself.

"I have another 10 years at the highest level, minimum."

The Van Gerwen era is different to the years of dominance from Taylor, whose first world title came in 1995 and his last in 2013. Today there are far more contenders who, in their own right, are capable of lifting the top prize and, as a result, Van Gerwen knows he can never match Taylor's haul.

This year will be the first in memory without the retired Taylor.

"Strange? Yes. But darts has moved on. Legends will leave," Van Gerwen said. "That's just how it goes. Darts has moved on. I haven't seen him much - once, at the World Matchplay - but our paths don't cross. We talk about darts, and about our futures, but that's it."

Taylor's iconic career drew to a close in the most remarkable way last year at the World Championship when he was beaten by Rob Cross, a debutant, in the final. Cross, utterly unknown 12 months prior, had also beaten Van Gerwen in the semi-final.

Van Gerwen can't envisage a similar underdog story this year. He said: "Really difficult. [Cross'] form isn't the best now. Last year he dealt with new pressures, and things that he didn't know would happen.

"It will be tough for him because now, everybody wants to beat him."

Like you, then?

"Exactly."