Another issue with percentages is that they give the impression everything that they measure is identical (or of equal value).
For instance, Charlton won 44% of aerial duels.
Which 44%?
Duels that had a crucial outcome over the next phase of play? Duels that led to a goal-scoring opportunity within the next minute?
Or duels that were forgotten five seconds later as play was influenced by something else.
Challenges, territory, passes, possession, cards, corners, Xg...
All to a greater or lesser extent meaningless.
The only stat that really matters is goals scored or conceded.
And how good or embarrassing those events are can be seen by every fan with eyes.
They can't be clouded with sheets of numbers and percentages.
For instance, Charlton won 44% of aerial duels.
Which 44%?
Duels that had a crucial outcome over the next phase of play? Duels that led to a goal-scoring opportunity within the next minute?
Or duels that were forgotten five seconds later as play was influenced by something else.
Challenges, territory, passes, possession, cards, corners, Xg...
All to a greater or lesser extent meaningless.
The only stat that really matters is goals scored or conceded.
And how good or embarrassing those events are can be seen by every fan with eyes.
They can't be clouded with sheets of numbers and percentages.

