8 Premier League Players Who Won't Be Back Next Season

Usually in May, the talk surrounding the English Premier League contains a bevy of transfer rumors about incoming players.

But what about the players saying goodbye to the EPL?

Have no fear, this slideshow has all you need to know about the players who will not be playing in the English top flight next season, whether it be because of retirement or a move to a new club.

Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes played his final match for Manchester United on Sunday against West Brom, and this time he will be retiring for good. 

Scholes retired for the first time at the end of the 2010-11 season, but he came back in January 2012 due to United's midfield problems. 

Now at age 38, Scholes, who was quoted by the official Manchester United website, seems to be retiring for good this time around. Paul Scholes via manutd.com, May 11, 2013:

"

Yes, I am finally hanging up my boots for good! Playing football is all I have ever wanted to do, and so to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United, under the greatest manager of all time, has been an honour. The team has the right balance and will continue to thrive under the leadership of David Moyes.

"

Edin Dzeko

There will be a lot of change occurring at Manchester City this summer, and one of the personnel moves that is expected to happen is the departure of forward Edin Dzeko. 

Dzeko has been linked with Borussia Dortmund for months, and a report earlier this month from ESPN.com claimed that the German club will "think about" the potential transfer of the Bosnian big man.

Another club that has been linked with the 27-year-old forward is Napoli, who contain a coveted piece to Manchester City's summer puzzle in Edinson Cavani. 

Neil McLeman of The Mirror recently reported that the Italian club would accept Dzeko as a part of a potential deal for Cavani. 

Regardless of where he ends up, it is almost certain that Dzeko will not be wearing the sky blue of City or the colors of any of the other 19 EPL clubs next season. 

Stiliyan Petrov

The best way to describe the career of Stiliyan Petrov is that he was a pro's pro. 

Petrov, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012, officially called it quits on a comeback to the game earlier this month, via BBC Sport. 

The 33-year-old Bulgarian, who was a fan favorite at Aston Villa, will be sorely missed on the pitch for his play in the midfield. 

The good news for the former CSKA Sofia and Celtic player is that he is currently in remission. 

Florent Malouda

Remember Florent Malouda?

Clearly no one at Chelsea remembered who he was this season.

Malouda, 32, played over 20 matches in each of his first five seasons at Stamford Bridge before being exiled from the first team this season.  

While there is nothing official yet on what clubs are interested in the Frenchman, his contract ran out after the end of the season and his time at Chelsea is sure to be over. 

Phil Neville

Another well-respected veteran of the EPL, Phil Neville, has most likely played his final competitive match.

Neville, who just like his brother Gary, is seen as a keen former player who could thrive in the managerial aspect of the game.

Neville is already set up to assist Stuart Pearce with the England under-21 team at the U-21 European Championships this summer, and he could join former Everton manager David Moyes as the new managerial reign begins at Manchester United next season, via Daily Mail. 

Another potential landing spot for the 36-year-old is Stoke City, who have interest in bringing the former England and Manchester United midfielder to the Britannia Stadium as an assistant to manager Tony Pulis, via Daily Mail. 

Michael Owen

It has been quite some time since Michael Owen's presence on a football pitch was impactful. 

In the shadow of all the famous retirements across the EPL in the past month, Owen also said his farewell to the game at the age of 33, according to the Daily Mail. 

Owen made a name for himself at Liverpool for eight seasons before he traded in Anfield for the Bernabeu and played with Real Madrid for one season. 

The former England international forward also had stints with Newcastle and Manchester United before he retired in Stoke City colors on Sunday. 

Jamie Carragher

The latest legend to say farewell to the Anfield faithful was defender Jamie Carragher. 

The life-long Liverpudlian played in the final match of his illustrious 17-year professional career with Liverpool on Sunday against Queens Park Rangers, via Daily Mail. 

Carragher, who joined the Liverpool youth team in 1990, won two FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Champions League and one UEFA Cup title in his career on the red half of Merseyside.

However, the one glaring omission from Carragher's impressive resume is the EPL title, which was the only major trophy he failed to win at the club level. 

Wayne Rooney

The first seven players on this list are either guaranteed to leave the EPL or close to finding the exit out of England but one player whose future is up in the air at the moment is Wayne Rooney. 

It was announced just a week ago by Sky Sports that Rooney put in a transfer request to depart Manchester United this summer . 

At just 27, Rooney has another half of his career ahead of him. The most likely destination for him seems to be Paris St. Germain, but a plethora of clubs have interest in the England international, according to The Independent. 

While a move to another EPL club is possible, according to The Mirror, Rooney should challenge himself and move overseas, even if it is for a year or two, before he returns to England.

Follow me on Twitter, @JTansey90.