Everton fans knew what they needed on deadline day. You’d like to think the board did too. Some full backs and a striker – it wasn’t rocket science.It had looked as though Kenny Tete would join from Fulham to add to David Moyes’s right back options, while Folarin Balogun was on his way to Merseyside for a medical to replace Beto, who had already departed.Former Arsenal – and England – star Ainsley Maitland-Niles signed in the afternoon. Nathan Patterson departed. Jack Grealish rejoined to replace Iliman Ndiaye. And all appeared to be going smoothly.That was until it wasn’t. In spectacular – and, some would say, Everton fashion – Balogun performed a U-turn, Fulham pulled out of the Tete deal, and that was that.The Toffees now have only two recognised full backs, supported by others who can fill in, and one natural striker, with the transfer window closed. A disaster? Maybe. And they aren’t alone – other sides may feel they have been left short too, with a long, grueling season ahead.Enter the free agent market. Those who left clubs before the deadline closed can still join other sides, and the Toffees will almost certainly need to dip into that market. Here are some of the players who are still unattached that could help them – and others – this season. Everton – and others – have been left desperately short in terms of personnel following a disastrous final day of the transfer windowKarim BenzemaDefinitely the most high-profile name on the list, Ballon d’Or and five-time Champions League winner Benzema would be an insane coup for most Premier League sides.Any arrival – if even possible – would come with caveats. He is 38 now, which is, for a better phrase, older than old- in football terms.A short-term deal wouldn’t matter too much. There’s no way Everton don’t address the issue properly as soon as the next transfer window comes around, and Benzema could easily play second fiddle to Thierno Barry.His wages would likely be astronomically high. When he left Real Madrid for Al-Ittihad in 2023, he was reportedly earning a sensational £1.4million a week, then went onto pick up a cool £2million-a-week at Al-Hilal before his departure earlier this year.He would get nowhere near that at any club in England – in fact he’d be looking at a huge pay cut. But is the challenge of the Premier League enough for that?It’s unlikely. Karim Benzema would be a sensational signing for a number of Premier League sides, but may be an unrealistic targetOleksandr ZinchenkoZinchenko’s career has fallen off a cliff since he left Arsenal last year.It felt a good move for all parties when he joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan in September 2025, but his time at the City Ground saw him make just ten appearances before his loan was cut short.He then moved to Ajax, but his contract expired after four months, and he remains unattached.A move for Everton doesn’t seem like the worst idea in the world. Still only 29, Zinchenko has plenty of life left in his legs and has a lot of experience too. Let’s remember he’s a four-time Premier League winner, a four-time League Cup winner and a one-time FA Cup winner.This one seems plausible for mid-table to lower-table sides. Caveats include that he has played in midfield more regularly than at left back in recent years – and he’s currently injured – but, if things fall into place, a move could make a lot of sense. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s career has fallen off a cliff since he left Arsenal just last summerPaul PogbaMost know the Paul Pogba story by now. Having left Manchester United for a second time in disappointing fashion, he returned to Juventus, where he was given a doping ban.He returned to playing with Monaco in France last year, but departed last month following a year.Now 33, any move wouldn’t necessarily be part of a long-term project, but the 2018 World Cup winner is another whose experience could help those around him.It would be quite the punt for anyone. But maybe one worth taking. Paul Pogba is once again available on a free after his contract at Monaco came to an endJadon SanchoIt appears likely that Sancho’s next club will be Palmeiras in Brazil, with the forward currently unattached after being released from his £300,000 a week salary.One wonders if his preferred destination would be somewhere in England, though. After leaving United on loan initially for Borussia Dortmund, he spent time with Chelsea and Aston Villa.But no one in the county would match his wages, and he may want a fresh start. Still, at his best, the former England star would be a huge asset for a number of clubs in the Premier League. Jadon Sancho is also a free agent, having featured for Chelsea and Aston Villa in previous yearsRaphael GuerreiroThere aren’t many free agent right backs for clubs to choose from, but there are a fair few left backs. And, for Everton, with Jake O’Brien more than capable on the right but Jarrad Branthwaite probably second choice left back, that may not be a bad thing.Guerreiro may be past his prime but is still only 32 and left Bayern Munich in the summer. After three years there, plus seven at Borussia Dortmund, he would bring great experience and may even be happy to play back-up.That said, Everton fans are growing increasingly frustrated with Vitaly Mykolenko, and Guerreiro would certainly stake his claim for a starting spot for a number of sides.He could even be out of a few clubs’ price ranges – but may well be worth a go. In desperate need of a left back, Everton could turn to out of contract Raphael GuerreiroTyrell MalaciaMalacia’s Manchester United nightmare finally came to an end in the summer when he was released by the club after four years.Maybe Malacia wasn’t ready for a club the size of United, but he is in his prime at 27 and undoubtedly hungry for a new challenge.A move back home to the Netherlands may be on the agenda following a stint at PSV last year, and he may not be keen to move back to the Premier League after such a nightmare experience the first time around.But, again, looking at the player and what some sides need, a move would make sense for plenty. After his Manchester United nightmare, Tyrell Malacia may be reluctant to return to EnglandMauro IcardiIcardi has made more headlines off the field than on it in recent years. Long story short, he split from his high-profile spouse Wanda Nara, an Argentinian model and presenter with whom he has two kids, and accused her of infidelity – arguing she cheated on him with Argentinian singer L-Gante and former team-mates Federico Fazio and Keita Balde. You can read more by clicking here.On the field, he left Galatasaray in the summer after four years, and, at 33, is on the hunt for a new club.The striker is a prolific goal scorer and has been wherever he has gone: 124 in 219 games for Inter, 77 in 134 for Gala and 38 in 92 for PSG. But that may mean he isn’t happy to be a back-up – though some healthy competition could work in a number of sides’ favours.Some may not feel he is worth the hassle. They would also have to move quickly, with it looking like he is set to join Lazio in Italy. A decent option from a footballing perspective, but one that feels almost impossible for most. Mauro Icardi is an option in attack but appears to be on the verge of joining Lazio in ItalyDani CarvajalAnother player swimming in experience, former Real Madrid captain Carvajal is still yet to find a side after leaving Los Blancos in the summer.This one feels unlikely. He has played in Spain since 2013, and may not want to relocate to the Premier League at the age of 34. He was also on big wages at Madrid – a reported £171,000 a week. That wouldn’t be on offer in the Premier League at this stage.Still, don’t rule it out. Everton, for example, are a decent side playing in a top division and hoping to push for Europe.Unlikely, but never say never. Former Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal is yet to find a new club after leaving Los BlancosAnthony MartialNow now.Martial is remembered for all the wrong reasons in the Premier League. Announcing himself in style against Liverpool on his debut as a teenager, he’s now 30, and has just left Mexican club Monterrey by mutual consent.Everyone remembers the Ballon d’Or clause in his contract when he joined United. And, to be frank, the situation went on to become a laughing stock. But it’s important to look at the player in isolation. He has scored goals throughout his career.Martial netted 90 times in 317 games for United and nine in 24 for AEK Athens – though it is hard to ignore the one in 20 during his time in North America.Could he be worth a punt? Cheap wages, probably happy to play back-up, knows the Premier League… it would certainly split any fanbase. Former Manchester United striker Anthony Martial is still on the hunt for his latest clubJoseluThis is a man who was first choice striker for Real Madrid as little as 18 months ago, forming a surprise but effective partnership with Jude Bellingham.Now 36, a short-term move would suit all parties and Joselu’s experience would likely prove more than handy in any young attack.He’s a certain type of striker, too – at 6ft 4in, his physical frame offers something a number of strikers do not.After leaving Qatar side Al-Gharafa earlier this year, it was expected that he would join a new club in the summer. He hasn’t, yet – and England could be the destination once again for the former Stoke City and Newcastle man. Joselu could provide an option up front, having starred for Real Madrid as recently as two years agoSomeone else?And that’s not all. Any team can sign free agents outside the window, and there are plenty worth a look at.Some will surely find a side of sorts soon. Riyad Mahrez is available. Yves Bissouma hasn’t found a new club after being released by Tottenham, and Reiss Nelson was let go by Arsenal before the window closed.Former Premier League stars Adam Webster and Abdoulaye Doucoure are still available, too, along with the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Tanguy Ndombele, and a certain Raheem Sterling.The transfer window may well be closed. But for teams that failed to build their squads properly, hope is not lost.