Michael van Gerwen: 'I can't afford to make mistakes'

Michael van Gerwen has admitted that he is under pressure to perform as he attempts to defend his title at the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

The world number one defeated Peter Wright in last year's final to cement his position at the top of the PDC Order of Merit, but the Dutchman has acknowledged that he can't afford any mistakes if he is to claim a second successive crown.

The 25-year-old told PDC.tv: "Everybody says that the first time is always the most difficult time to win the tournament and I hope that is the case for me. The first one was fantastic, but I need to forget about that now because the next one is here.

"You can't afford any mistakes at the World Championship, you need to perform well because it's the most important event of the year. I have a lot of passion for the game, I am a winner and I don't make a lot of mistakes."

Van Gerwen will start his campaign with a encounter against Joe Cullen on Thursday evening.