Man City 'dressing up' 'very clever' plan to hide 'unique' issue - Keith Wyness
Manchester City's new £10 ticket scheme is a "very good" use of their "spare capacity."
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Citizens deserve plenty of praise for their new initiative.
City recently confirmed that up to 500 tickets will be available at £10 for every home game in 2026-27, with residents in the five closest areas to the Etihad Stadium eligible for them.
Wyness has given the Manchester giants "kudos" for their efforts to make football affordable for local people, but believes that it is being used to cover up their availability at games.
Locals next to the Etihad Stadium will be able to apply for the tickets through a ballot on a game-by-game basis, with the allocation differing for each game.
The scheme will initially come in as a trial in 2026-27, but is likely to be continued if the take-up is strong.
Why is Man City's scheme unique?
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that City have a "different financial profile" to most of the other clubs in the Premier League.
He noted that their rivals at the top table of English football do not have the spare capacity to be able to run a scheme like this.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained the difficulties behind initiatives of this nature.
"Look, I think it's a very good move for City, but I think it's unique to City. don't think it's something that a lot of clubs can actually follow," he said.
"A lot of clubs don't have the spare capacity that City have right now, and they're dressing up some of that spare capacity as a local initiative, which I think is very clever.
"But a lot of clubs have got waiting lists on season tickets, et cetera, and there isn't that capacity. City have got a different financial profile to a lot of other clubs who do need that extra revenue, and every penny they get through the turnstiles is important for them.
"So it's a uniquely City initiative. Look, it's great. I think it's well done by them and they should get Kudos for it. But it's not something that can be replicated very easily in many other clubs."
Enzo Maresca has new plan for Jack Grealish
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Enzo Maresca is planning to give winger Jack Grealish the chance to impress in pre-season.
The 30-year-old impressed during a loan stint at Everton last term, but the Toffees have been priced out of a permanent move for him so far.
Grealish had no future at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola, but Maresca is now ready to give him a chance to re-establish himself in the squad.
Savinho has been heavily linked with a move away, and his exit could open the door for Grealish to return to the fold.