They do have a very soft center. I was shocked when they let go of Meireles really. He made a decent midfield duo with Lampard last season, added some much needed dynamism and energy to Chelsea's midfield. I mean i'd understand(well not really) benching him for Mikel, but to actually sell him, was a really bad move if you ask me. Mikel is static and slow, and playing him beside Lampard just makes their center slow, cumbersome and static. RDM has made quite a few strange decisions last summer.