Everton’s Deadline Day was a disaster. We’ll gloss over the details of phones being switched off, aeroplanes left unused and fees spiralling late on, but the salient facts are the Toffees wanted Moussa Sissoko and Yacine Brahimi but ended up with only Enner Valencia on loan from West Ham and youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Naturally, there has been fume among the Merseysiders’ supporters, who were expecting a huge window given the investment from Farhad Moshiri and the show of ambition that was drafting in Ronald Koeman as manager. Although there have been some wise additions, gaps remain in the squad and there is a feeling of embarrassment at the late-window debacles.

Alas, Everton can still sign players from the unattached market. Although this is often seen as the bargain basement, there are some talented stars out there without clubs – as we saw on Wednesday when West Ham signed Alvaro Arbeloa and West Brom bagged Hal Robson-Kanu.

Free agents aren’t generally exciting, but 7 Of The Best  is! We’ve teamed up with 7OTB to bring you a footballing treat for the season. It’s free to play and the best team each week wins £1,500, as well as monthly prize of £4,000 for the best individual. Want to win bigger? Nab yourself a whopping £500k if you get all seven of your selections correct for seven consecutive weeks.

How do you play? All you need to do is pick seven teams each week, one being your banker, five being teams you expect to win and one you believe will draw.

So with the theme of seven in mind and Everton’s need for players, here are SEVEN free agents they could sign…

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Martin Caceres

Everton were aligned with a host of centre-backs through the summer, but only Ashley Williams was signed to replace the departed John Stones, leaving Koeman somewhat short of options. Phil Jagielka remains, but he’s ageing, while Ramiro Funes Mori is an option, yet he’s erratic, so another addition was one that would have made sense.

Uruguay international Caceres is available after seeing out his Juventus contract, and would bring experience and versatility – he can operate on either flank as a full-back. The South American has had his injury issues – he’s currently recovering from an Achilles problem – but at 29, there are miles left on the clock.

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Zakaria Labyad

It’s not often international players of just 23 are on the unattached pile, but Moroccan winger Labyad is in the wilderness after leaving Sporting CP. The former PSV Eindhoven trainee was tipped to be a star in Eredivisie when he broke through, but his career has stalled in recent seasons, while a brief loan stint at Fulham last season offered little in the way of encouragement.

Alas, Koeman is a top manager and could, perhaps, unlock the potential the pacey 5ft. 8” ace has.

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Kevin Constant

As we learnt from the Sissoko saga, central midfield was certainly a position the Toffees were looking to strengthen, so there remains a gap in Koeman’s squad. Not quite the same driving, attacking force as the Frenchman, Constant, 29, would still be of use to Everton given that he can play in pretty much every role in the central third of the pitch, while he boasts plenty of experience from his time in Serie A, where he represented the likes of AC Milan and Bologna.

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Junior Hoilett

Perhaps not an exciting option now, Hoilett was once talked about as one of the Premier League’s more promising wingers, and with the Canadian still only 26 he could, potentially, be revived.

A bleak spell at QPR came to an end over the summer, so he’s available and could be a (bear with us) filler option following the Brahimi debacle.

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Leon Osman

Why not? Released earlier this summer by the Toffees, Osman is still a cult hero at Goodison Park and we’ve seen players re-sign for their clubs after being let go in the past – just look at Liverpool with Fabio Aurelio.

At 35, the clock is ticking on Osman’s career and there are doubts about his mobility, but as a cover option, he makes some sense given his close ties with the club.

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Nicklas Bendtner

We’re pretty sure that Bendtner, 28, won’t be a popular suggestion, but the divisive Dane is available and boasts Premier League and international experience.

There are doubts about his attitude and commitment, but there must be talent there… after all, enough managers have taken chances on him in the past.

A short-term deal would be risk-free and provide cover for Romelu Lukaku.

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Juan Vargas

With over 60 senior Peruvian appearances under his belt and a lengthy career in Serie A, Vargas is an intriguing name on the free agent list.

Granted, the 32-year-old has lost his pace as the years have passed, but he’s still technically adept and dangerous from set-pieces, while his ability to play at left-back and as a left-sided winger make him a utility option.

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