Salomon Kalou has PAID for the chance to train with Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba!

The People says Kalou bid at an auction for the chance to train alongside Drogba ... forgetting the fact he does it for free every day!

Kalou and his Stamford Bridge pals were supporting Drogba's charity gala to raise funds for an Ivory Coast hospital. And the host couldn't believe it when his fellow Ivorian got into a bidding war.

Drogba said: "My team-mates wanted to help me so much - Salomon even took part in an auction for the training session with me.

"He totally forgot that he plays his football alongside me."