Maurizio Sarri's pre-match worries appeared to become a reality during Chelsea's 3-0 friendly win over New England Revolution after Ruben Loftus-Cheek limped off with a suspected ankle injury.
The England midfielder had to be helped away from the pitch after going down in the second half and was later seen on crutches, raising fears he will be out of action for the Blues' Europa League final against Arsenal.
Chelsea were in the US for a charity friendly as part of the club's Say No To Antisemitism campaign.
Prior to the fixture, Sarri lauded the trip's purpose, but conceded that he felt his men needed to rest.
As a coach, of course, I am a little bit worried because I know very well that the team now needs rest.Nevertheless, the Italian fielded a strong starting 11 at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where owner Roman Abramovich was in attendance on Wednesday night.
Ross Barkley got Chelsea off to a rapid start with the first of two goals for the midfielder, finding the net in the third minute with a ball intercepted from a clearance effort by Revolution defender Jalil Anibaba.
Olivier Giroud put Chelsea up 2-0 just before the half-hour mark, heading a cross from Davide Zappacosta.
Sarri made six changes at half-time, among them bringing on Loftus-Cheek in place of Mateo Kovacic.
Prior to the New England friendly, Sarri had voiced concerns over the timing of the trip to the US.
"We go there for a good reason I think, so as a man I am very happy to go there," he said.
"As a coach, of course, I am a little bit worried because I know very well that the team now needs rest.
"So it is not the best way to prepare for the final, I think."
