Actually, Silva was left out a bit by Ranieri, even if it he was quite young, he didnt let him train with the first team much or so, I guess didnt notice his big talent back then (wasnt someone he believed in). But Ranieri is generally very good with youth players, so this means zip, doesnt need to nurture every talent that comes by, but there is no particular connection with Silva as with other talents.
But this is what Ranieri said:
"I brought Silva from the youth squad to the first team when I coached Valencia a few years ago. I know him well. But, I am not involved in the transfer market and I would not tell the press if negotiations were to begin between Juventus and Valencia".
He KNOWS of him, as in he briefly trained him when Silva was emerging as a senior player, but its nothing more then that.