Diego Costa Injury Grants Loic Remy Chance to Finally Make Chelsea Impact

We're all familiar with Monopoly.

It's been around so long that it's become an institution. And for those who have played it enough, they know there's no card more valuable than one that reads: "Get out of jail free."

It's the biggest insurance a player can have; the card that ensures when things go awry, they have an out.

When it's issued from the Chance pile, the receiver will ensure it's put aside for safekeeping.

"This card may be kept until needed or sold," it states.

That statement isn't too far off summing up Loic Remy at Chelsea.

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The Frenchman has been all those things for Jose Mourinho this season. He's been a quiet figure, stashed away nice and safe for the moment he's needed.

That time has arrived.

Chelsea are far from being in jail, yet with Diego Costa on the treatment table for the next fortnight or so, it's going to be left to Remy to get them out of a sticky patch.

Indeed, there's an argument to suggest he already has, given that his last two Chelsea goals have been the deciding factor in victories over Hull City and Stoke City.

Those wins have kept Chelsea seven points clear of Arsenal at the top and kept the rest of the Premier League at bay.

Unlike that trusted Monopoly card, however, Remy must now show he isn't a one-trick pony. Chelsea and Mourinho need him to have much more substance than that.

Costa has endured a season of highs and lows. There have been suspensions and injury problems, yet whenever he has played, the Spanish international has been the phenomenon Mourinho hoped he would be.

Costa has bossed around defences, bullied teams and scored the goals that have fired Chelsea ahead of everyone.

It's why Mourinho will risk his fitness like he did against Stoke. He's too valuable a commodity to leave on the sidelines if there's a possibility that he can play. The rewards of having Costa have always been significant.

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He represents how this Chelsea team has developed, how the approach has differed. Mourinho will take those risks when he believes the reward is justifiable.

Mourinho's philosophy is that it's better to have the answer than to wonder what might have been.

Losing Costa for the final quarter of 2014/15 is a severe blow for Chelsea, especially when they play an in-form Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in just over a week. That game will be quickly followed by a trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal.

Everything will hinge on those two games. The title race could be split wide open or, as every Chelsea fan hopes, a fifth league crown could be all but secured for Mourinho's men.

Chelsea don't appear in the strongest position when it comes to personnel, especially when the Premier League's joint-leading goalscorer is struggling physically.

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Remy has an opportunity to show otherwise.

To borrow another Monopoly term, Remy must prove the difference to ensure Chelsea passing "Go."

If he does that, he'll be so much more than just an insurance policy at Chelsea.

Remy will have well and truly arrived.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.