Music plays a role in athletes’ lives in so many ways we don’t see.

Not just the pre-game and post-game rituals. But the times on the road. In the gym. In physio and recovering from serious injury.

We worked with Beats by Dre’s Sports Marketing team to reposition our approach to athlete stories.

When most of the cameras had drifted away from young England star Callum Hudson-Odoi, during his 5-month lay off with a ruptured Achilles, we partnered with Chelsea to explore his recovery and the role of music in it.

Shooting with Gabriel Moses, an ex-academy prospect who understands the ins and outs of a young professional’s life, we spent time with Callum during physio, at Cobham, and in his home, gaining insights from family, fans, coaches and new manager Frank Lampard.

The result was a portrait of one of the footballing world’s most in-demand young talents, and a fresh understanding of how his mentality puts him on a different level.

The film work earned over 5 million views across Chelsea’s official channels, IGTV and Callum’s personal account, with a cutdown version airing during half time at Stamford Bridge to mark his return to the first team squad - and putting pen to paper on a new contract.

Credits

Creative Director: Guy Bingley

Creative Director: Nick Bastian

Sports Marketing Director: Alex Wilde

Director: Gabriel Moses