With the transfer window now slammed shut, Sean Dyche could have no other option than to maximise the potential of the current players at the club after Everton managed zero signings.
It promises to be a testing end to the campaign for new Blues boss Dyche, who has lost the services of Anthony Gordon and not seen the squad strengthened despite recouping a £40m upfront fee for the 21-year-old.
However, while the deadline to recruit players may now have passed, there is still the opportunity to add free agents to the mix in a bid to boost the club's survival hopes. And, below, we have taken a look at a list of possible options Everton could consider.
READ MORE: Inside story of Everton's shambolic transfer window as list of January failures emerges
Andre Ayew
Andre Ayew is a name that is continuing to be linked with the Blues after missing out a whole host of other forwards on deadline day.
Recent reports have suggested Everton are 'in talks' with the Ghanaian attacker, who has enjoyed previous spells in the Premier League with Swansea City and West Ham United.
Most recently at Qatari side Al Sadd, the 33-year-old scored 18 times in 30 appearances and is being 'considered' by Dyche due to a lack of options in this area of the pitch.
Jese Rodriguez
Former Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez is currently without a club after his contract with Turkish side Ankaragucu was ended by mutual consent last month. The Spaniard spent five years with the Madrid first-team before transferring to Paris Saint-Germain.
After an unsuccessful spell in the French capital, Jese was loaned out four times, including a stint in the Premier League with Stoke City in 2017/18.
The 29-year-old could be a temporary fix for the Blues' attack, which has struggled badly since the summer sale of Richarlison.
Isco
A deadline day move to Union Berlin fell through for the ex-Real Madrid man, who most recently represented Sevilla in La Liga.
The five-time Champions League winner had travelled to Germany for a medical, but saw the deal collapse at the last minute after Isco's demands are said to have differed from previous negotiations.
At 30 years of age, the Spaniard still has plenty to offer in the midfield department and could provide the same level of quality James Rodriguez offered during his short stay at the Blues.
Max Kruse
Max Kruse is currently without a club, having agreed to terminate his Wolfsburg contract by mutual consent in November.
The former Germany international has spent the majority of his career in his home country and certainly knows where the back of the net is, highlighted by his 97 goals scored in the German top-flight.
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