Clayton may be my biggest threat, says champ Price
GERWYN Price believes Jonny Clayton could provide the biggest stumbling block in his bid for successive world darts titles.
The Welshman will line up at Alexandra Palace as the warm favourite to land back-to-back crowns.
Price is as short as 10-3 with bookmarkers to lift the trophy, with Michael van Gerwen 4-1 and Peter Wright 13-2.
But it is Pontyberem ace Clayton who could deliver the biggest threat.
Clayton has won a clutch of high-profile events this year, a run that has seen him ranked eighth in the main draw.
He is just 7-1 to add the world crown to his run of titles.
Price told the Sporting Life website: “The standard in the game as a whole is ridiculous and you could pick at least eight other players that could seriously challenge for the big titles.
“In the past Michael and Phil Taylor were so dominant but I can’t see that kind of thing happening again in the very near future.
“Hopefully I can find another level because I don’t think I’m anywhere near the finished article, so maybe in a few years’ time I can be more dominant.
“Michael and Peter have perhaps reached their peaks. But as far as me and Jonny are concerned, we’ve got a lot more in the tank.”
Clayton will start his bid for glory against either Keane Barry or Roden Lam.
Price, meanwhile, could face a third-round clash with Fallon Sherrock, the top woman in the world.
“She’s got no scars at the moment and just playing freely,” he said.
“I hope she does get her Tour Card and I hope she does play with us week in, week out because she’s got the game.”