Eden Hazard and stars to replace Drogba, Mascherano, and Walcott in Chinese New Year Cup

Chelsea legends Eden Hazard and Ashley Cole, alongside former Arsenal stalwart Bacary Sagna, are set to join the upcoming FWD Insurance Chinese New Year Cup. This comes as Didier Drogba, Theo Walcott, and Javier Mascherano announced they would step back from the game.

Eden Hazard, who has clinched the Chelsea Player of the Year title four times, is poised to make his first appearance in Hong Kong as the match is scheduled for February 1, 2025. 

Ashley Cole, recognized as one of the finest English left-backs ever and a recent inductee into the Premier League Hall of Fame, will reconnect with Hong Kong fans for the first time since lifting the Premier League Asia Trophy in 2011.

On the other side of the field, Bacary Sagna, the French international praised by Arsène Wenger as the Premier League's top right-back during his prime, will showcase his skills. Fans can look forward to witnessing the magic of these seasoned players at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Mascherano has recently been appointed as the head coach of Inter Miami CF, while Theo Walcott has had to withdraw due to unforeseen changes in his professional commitments in the UK.

Drogba is currently recuperating from an injury he sustained during a match in Korea in October, per his medical report.

Their absence from the FWD Insurance CNY Cup has been officially confirmed, and they will not participate in the event.