Chris Dobey has insisted Luke Littler is not unbeatable, but has warned that the darting world has yet to see the best of the two-time world champion. Speaking ahead of a busy end to the 2026 season, 'Hollywood' was in confident mood as he prepares for a string of major tournaments.
"I wouldn't say he's unbeatable because that was his week, he was unbelievable. He was almost untouchable, but he's still got more gears to go as well. That's a scary thing," Dobey told Oche180. "I think you haven't seen the best in him yet. But, like I say, he's not unbeatable, but that patch that he had then, he was fantastic and it is good to watch as well. It's not good to be on the receiving end of it, but it's good to watch and what he's brought to the sport is magnificent and, yeah, he deserves to be where he is."
The 36-year-old, ranked 14th in the world, is relishing the challenge of facing Littler, who recently won the World Matchplay for the second year in a row. "Obviously, nobody wants to play Luke early doors, but if you're going to win it, you've got to beat the best," he said. "It doesn't matter who I play. I think if I'm confident going in and get off to a good start, I think that I can beat anybody." Dobey has beaten Littler before and plans to use mind games on his return to Players Championship action. "I've beaten him on the floor before and you've just got to be confident. He knows it's going to be tough for him because he hasn't played in any of these this year. He's played in many of these events and he hasn't won a lot of them, but, yeah, he's going to be confident. I still think he'll be a bit shaky at the start, but the first thing I'm going to do, I'm going to wind him up about Man United at the weekend."
Reflecting on his own season, Dobey admitted it has not been his best, with early exits at the PDC World Darts Championship and World Matchplay, and just one quarter-final on TV at the Masters in Milton Keynes. However, he has secured two ProTour titles from three finals, the most recent at Players Championship nine, and reached the final session of three European Tour events, including the Hungarian Darts Open where Nathan Aspinall edged him in a thriller. "I still feel I'm playing well in the Matchplay," he said. "I played all right in these four match starts. I still felt I was the better player and lost that match. But, yeah, you move on, you forget that. And, like I said, I'm in good form coming into these European Tours and Players Championships." He put his TV struggles down to facing world-class opposition, citing his World Championship loss to Andrew Gilding, who averaged 101. "I will get some luck and I know that. I've just got to keep playing the way I've been playing and, yeah, the luck will turn."
Off the oche, Dobey discussed his beloved Newcastle United, who have made a solid start despite losing key players and their manager. "I think everybody ruled us out. Everybody had us getting relegated, but I think fresh squad, it's a young squad as well, so you've got to give them time," he said. He praised the new manager's impact and is hopeful of a return to Champions League nights at St James' Park. He also expressed confidence in the Saudi ownership, saying, "They came with a plan, they wanted to win the Premier League within five, ten years, but they're still there, they're still turning up." Dobey touched on the emotional atmosphere at St James' Park following the passing of Kevin Keegan, drawing parallels with darts crowds. "Darts-wise, it's a lonely place when things aren't going well on stage and all it takes is for that one or two people in the crowd to get behind you, then the whole crowd goes with it. St James' Park will be forever a massive part of me."