---
title: "Sunderland: Phil Parkinson says Chris Maguire “can get better” after agreeing new deal on Wearside"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-phil-parkinson-message-chris-maguire-new-deal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-06-25T19:10:22Z"
modified: "2020-06-25T19:10:22Z"
---

# Sunderland: Phil Parkinson says Chris Maguire “can get better” after agreeing new deal on Wearside

**Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson has sent a message to attacker Chris Maguire after he penned a new deal at the club.**

With the League One season over for the Black Cats, the focus has turned to attempting to renew a number of first team players’ contracts.

Missing out on promotion for a second successive season to the Championship, Parkinson will also look to make wholesale changes to his squad during the summer transfer window, although Maguire is among those who have been [retained by the club and offered fresh terms](https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2020/june/202021-retained-list).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Maguire arrived on Wearside back in June 2018, signing a [two-year deal](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44608313) with the club from Bury. Appearing 35 times during the 2019/20 season, the Scottish forward netted an [impressive 10 goals and supplied 12 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/chris-maguire/profil/spieler/36633), highlighting his important role in the Sunderland side.

Penning a [new deal](https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2020/june/202021-retained-list) at the Stadium of Light, Maguire has now been handed backing by Parkinson to further improve on those statistics.

*“I’m delighted we’ve got Chris here for another year,”* Parkinson is quoted as saying by [Sunderland Echo.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/phil-parkinson-has-message-chris-maguire-after-sunderland-contract-extension-2894144)

*“He was a big plus for us last season, not just in terms of the goals he scored but his all-round play.*

*“His fitness levels improved and he began to produce on a consistent basis, as we knew he could.*

*“But I still think he can get better and if we can get the best out of him, he will be a massive asset for us next season.”*

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Maguire’s new deal at Sunderland is a key move by the club ahead of next term and, if they can build a quality attacking side around him, then Parkinson could have a good starting point for next term.

The club must ensure that next summer they do not have a similar problem and that player contracts are addressed in good time.

***Who do you think Sunderland should sign this summer? Let us know in the comments section below…***