The Ivory Coast striker scored the winning penalty in the Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich in his last game for the west London club, before joining Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua.

Di Matteo, appointed Chelsea manager on a two-year deal after his exploits as caretaker last term, paid tribute to the 34-year-old Drogba's career at the club.

But the Italian also indicated he is looking for players already at the club to step up and fill the striker's role.

"We have a lot of quality players," he said. "Didier Drogba has been superb for the club for many years.

"People will rise to the occasion to fill the role he left. We have (Fernando) Torres, Daniel Sturridge, (Romelu) Lukaku. We have options."

Fernando Torres picked up the Golden Boot award at Euro 2012 with three goals for champions Spain, and Di Matteo is now looking for the former Liverpool man to continue that form next term.

"He was fantastic," Di Matteo said.

"What the Spain players achieved in the last few years is amazing. It will bring confidence, sportsmen need confidence to do well and hopefully they will come back in good form."

Chelsea have already brought in Eden Hazard from Lille in the close season, and Di Matteo said the Blues will not rush into the transfer market for additional players.

"Hazard wasn't cheap so we have already spent some money," he said.

"It's not just about spending money though, it's about bringing in quality players.

"We will only enter the market if we can move to improve the team. I'm not going to discuss our targets. When I do the price goes up."

Di Matteo also confirmed young striker Sturridge is suffering from a mild strain of viral meningitis, but hopes the 22-year-old will be fit for Great Britain's Olympic football campaign.