The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Shake-up starts!
The next Posh rebuild has already started.
Manager Grant McCann has freed up space in his playing squad for next season’s League One promotion push by inviting 11 players to leave the Weston Homes Stadium in the summer.
Among them are big-earners, League One promotion heroes from two seasons ago, high-profile summer signings and players who have failed to make an impact, as well as under 23 squad members.
Five senior men have been made available for transfer, including veteran centre-back Mark Beevers and midfielder Jorge Grant.
Three more were released at the end of their contracts including goalkeeper Dai Cornell who was a regular starter last season – his first at the club.
Three players from the club's under 23 squad have also been let go with immediate effect.
Discussions between McCann, director of football Barry Fry and chairman Darragh MacAnthony re replacements have already taken place. A further meeting, also involving club co-owners Dr Jason Neale and Stewart ‘Randy’ Thompson, to finalise plans will be held in Las Vegas later this month.
Posh are definitely seeking at least one new goalkeeper – with former loanee Steven Benda very much in the frame – as well as a pair of fullbacks.
Posh could finance the rebuild by selling teenage defender Ronnie Edwards who has been linked with Spurs, Crystal Palace, and German clubs RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borrusia Dortmund. Edwards has been valued at £15 million.
The Posh coffers have already been boosted by the promotion of Bournemouth to the Premier League as part of Siriki Dembele’s transfer package to the Cherries. Posh will also rake in another £1m from Ivan Toney’s transfer to Brentford as soon as the Bees’ safety in the Premier League is confirmed.
McCann’s determination to make a success of his second spell as Posh boss couldn’t be more obvious. After his team finished the Championship in 22nd place following a final day rout of Blackpool last weekend he vowed to put the pride back into Posh.