UEFA cup: Alaves ace fancies Premiership move

Alaves defender Oscar Tellez is preparing for Wednesday's Uefa Cup final against Liverpool with his heart set on a move to the Premiership.

The 26-year-old centre-back, who will be bidding to prevent the likes of Michael Owen from scoring in Dortmund, said he was keen to try his luck at a bigger club.

"This year could be the one in which I take the step to a much more important club," Tellez said.

"I would like to try the English league, because I think I have the ability to do well there."

Tellez, who has been a rock in defence for Alaves this season, was recently called up to the Spanish national side by coach Jose Antonio Camacho.

The centre-back's increased profile has grabbed the interest of a host of English clubs, including Chelsea whose manager Claudio Ranieri coached Tellez at Valencia.

"Now, after two years in the Primera Liga, I've heard that Chelsea are knocking at the door. The thing is that he (Ranieri) was very happy with me when we were at Valencia," Tellez said.

"I was very young, I had not played in the Primera Liga, so since I left there, I have progressed by always improving.

"I'm now an international and playing in the Uefa Cup final, and that is important.

"I do know that various English clubs have asked about my situation here."