Sean Dyche says he does not think Everton will move again in the market unless there are sales but many Evertonians still believe the squad is thin.
The club can move in the loan market. There is one domestic spot still open and up to five international loan spaces and as prices drop nearer to the transfer deadline Kevin Thelwell may be able to strike a deal to fill some problem positions.
There is also the option of bringing in cover on a free transfer. Everton are short at full back and central midfield at the moment and injuries to Coleman, Patterson and Garner have left some wondering how Everton will cope when fixtures come thick and fast.
There are a few players still available on a free transfer that, if wages were low, could boost squad numbers and provide some experience for Everton’s group of talented youngsters to learn from. I warn you now though; many of the free transfer options are uninspiring and would probably just be filler for a squad that is looking short.
Here are the best options available on a free on the eve of the Premier League season.
Full back options
Anybody who is still a free agent now is probably there for a reason. There are a few options that Sean Dyche may be tempted by still available though, including a couple with Premier League experience.
Chief among them is Cedric Soares, who left Arsenal this summer after a loan spell at Fulham. The fact he was even at Arsenal was baffling given he wasn’t a key player for Southampton but he did play 21 times in his first season there, scoring a single goal. However, the 32-year-old has played just 11 games in two years since and is now a free agent. He can cover both full back positions and is a good, experienced professional. He has been named as most likely to become a coach by some of his fellow Arsenal players.
Elsewhere Paul Dummett will not excite Everton fans but he can play left back and centre half and certainly fits the ‘good in the air’ criteria Dyche seems to appreciate with defenders. At 32 he has a couple of years left and could be a useful defensive utility player with bags of Premier League experience.
I would hope Everton would not entertain Serge Aurier, who left Forest on the summer, or ex-United full back Brendan Williams, who has notable off-the-pitch issues.
Attacking, but ageing options could include former Juventus left back Alex Sandro, now 33. Kurzawa from PSG looked like a great option as he is just 31 but he’s now embroiled in an assualt case in France.
Former Majorca left back Braian Cufre could be a cheap stop-gap. The Argentinian is a quick, hard-working full back who is still only 27.
Midfielders
Dele Alli is already training at the club and Everton have until mid-September to decide whether they would like to offer him a contract and register him for the season. There will be a second chance in January to register him if his recovery is delayed.
James Rodriguez is also a free agent. While financially and tactically nonsensical there will be plenty who would love to see the playmaker back in Blue.
Elsewhere ex-Leicester attacker Denis Praet is free. Everton have targeted him in the past but his move attacking position means Everton are probably covered there. Similarly Steve Alzate failed to impress at Brighton. Southampton’s Stuart Armstrong is only 32 and could do a job in the squad. He is on trial at Brentford at the moment.
Sergi Roberto, who left Barcelona in the summer, would be a pricey option but can play in defensive midfield and right back, potentially helping two problem positions in one.
On the more defensive side of things, did you know Francis Coquelin is still playing? The ex-Arsenal man has been around forever and at 33 has just left Villarreal on a free transfer. He probably has not got the legs for Premier League football anymore but could bulk out the squad.
Cheikou Kouyate has been the go-to defensive midfield squad depth signing for Palace, West Ham and Forest in the Premier League. Cheap and cheerful, he’s also 34 and that would probably rule him out.
On the wings Adam Ounas has left Lille. The Algerian is a creative winger and at just 27 should be hitting his prime. He is incredibly talented but suffers from injury issues and was reportedly dropped by Lille for lack of application in training, which would rule him out of a Sean Dyche squad.
And finally if Everton want to strengthen up front they can always try two classic rumoured players. Memphis Depay is not available on a free but he is currently injured. There is also the option of 29-year-old M’Baye Niang, who turned down the option of forming a dream team with Maguaye Gueye under David Moyes and instead went to AC Milan.