Former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is relishing the competitiveness of the current top-flight season — but says it would be foolish to write off Manchester City.

After clinching their fifth title in six years as part of a Treble-winning campaign in 2022-23, City have encountered more struggles this term.

Pep Guardiola's men are six points off leaders Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand — Liverpool, Tottenham and surprise package Aston Villa are also ahead of them.

With newly-wealthy Newcastle impressing as well, ex-Fulham, Middlesbrough and Chelsea stopper Schwarzer likes that City's Premier League dynasty is being challenged.

The Australian told LiveScore: "I think the Premier League's always had that in it.

"But obviously over the last four or five years we've tended to have Manchester City and then the rest — and then who can challenge them along the way, whether it's Liverpool or Arsenal and so forth.

"This season I think there's more teams. Obviously Aston Villa are doing tremendously well, Spurs are doing really well too. Newcastle, the last couple of seasons, have been there or thereabouts.

"It's good to see other teams have elevated themselves.

"And we're not even talking about the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, for example. I don't think they're in the race whatsoever."

Still City's to lose

Despite the Citizens' current run of just one victory in six Premier League games, Schwarzer believes they remain the favourites to become champions once again.

Speaking about their apparent struggles, he added: "The reason they're in a 'crisis' is because they're Manchester City and we hold them in such a high regard. 

"This is a team that's not necessarily playing their best football and are still very much in the mix.

"So there's no way in the world I would write City off."

Manager of the Season: Unai Emery

Schwarzer named Unai Emery as his manager of the season so far.

He said: "I think what he's done at Aston Villa is remarkable.

"How he's turned Villa around from the day he walked in the door, with very few changes to Steven Gerrard's team.

"That just shows you what an outstanding manager he is. I've always been a big fan of his.

"He's turned Villa into this team that people are talking about as title contenders. I think that's remarkable."

Signing of the season: Guglielmo Vicario

On the topic of signing of the season, Schwarzer was quick to hail a fellow goalkeeper's "outstanding" performances so far.

He said: "I think Vicario's done really well for Spurs.

"I was one that had doubts at the beginning as to whether or not he would adapt well to the Premier League.

"But I think he's been absolutely outstanding.

"I spoke to Ange [Postecoglou] a couple of weeks ago and when I asked him about whether Vicario was his signing he was very quick to respond and say, 'Yeah, absolutely'.

"They were looking at him when he was a manager at Celtic but he was afraid they wouldn't be able to afford him.

"But then when Ange went to Spurs, it was a really easy one for him."